HarperCollins carefully assessed the content of the original book and decided that the content that was less relevant to Australia would be replaced with homegrown chapters. Although the original authors didn’t write the Aussie chapters, they were consulted. HC paid careful attention to make sure that like content was replaced with like content to keep the overall balance of the book.

The US version sold well in Australia with approximately 25000 copies flying off bookstore shelves. Shona expects that the Australian edition will be more popular as Australian woman and girls find more content it identify with. Overall, approximately 40% of the content has been replaced.

Shona sees the book having an audience as wide as the 8-18 age group. “It’s the sort of book you receive as a gift and dip in and out of. There is information there about skipping games for the younger girls, but the changing a tire page is more for girls who have their learner permits. I see this as a reference book that girls will hold onto for many years.”
Shona is a mother of a daring teenager and describes her as an outdoor girl. She couldn’t wait to build a campfire. But Shona has noticed that her daughter will approach the book differently depending on whom she is reading it with. “If she’s reading with a would-be engineer, they’ll be building paper planes. Otherwise they might be playing games.”

Recently, the Australian version has received mixed press with a controversial inclusion of instructions on how to play the didgeridoo. Aboriginal academics have called for the book to be destroyed, as it is inappropriate for girls to play the didgeridoo for a variety of reason including health reasons. While there is disagreement on this issue, it seems that a compromise has been reached with HarperCollins agreeing to replace the offensive page with new material. “It’s not critical to the book. It’s supposed to be a fun gift book – it’s not a freedom of speech issue. We don’t want to offend anyone, so when the book is reprinted we will simply replace that page.”

The book may be seen as having a subtle feminist message – which is best seen by the instructions for negotiating salary. “Girls will often get their first job in their teenage years, with it be dog walking, babysitting or taking care of the local corner store. It’s important for them to learn not to be pathetically grateful that someone offers them a job at all, but to research what is reasonable payment for the work and not to be shy in putting themselves forward. There is a message of being confident throughout the book.” This is one of Shona’s favourite parts of the book – as are the rest of the practical pieces. She sees it as teaching girls all the things she was told were un-lady like when she was growing up. Her and her daughter are definitely going to give the lemon-powered clock a go – something that we previously considered a boy’s domain. “I’m also looking forward to seeing women in their 40s walking around trying to whistle with two fingers!”

The book could be considered an encyclopedia, definitely one to be kept on the shelf for a long period of time as it is bound for longevity. My only criticism of the book is its failure to include the details of the Australian authors. While Shona assured me that the Aussie ghostwriters have been well paid, I’d prefer to hear local content from a local writer.

The Daring Book for Girls is available from HarperCollins and retails for $45.

For your chance to win one of five copies of The Daring Book For Girls Australian Edition simply be one of the first five people to email fiction@vibewire.net with your name and address.



Image courtesy of HarperCollins.