Book Review - 'W.I.T.C.H. Guide to Crushes' by Parke Godwin, HarperCollins Children's Books

Pretty weak, dated, and cringey. Reading a kids' book from the early-to-mid 2000s today, especially from Disney, you realise just how indoctrinated into heteronormality and cis-normality we truly were when we were young and unable to recognise these sometimes toxic patterns and systems. Fixed gender roles being taught as "normal" to preteens is inexcusable nowadays; and the segment in this book told from the POV of the 'W.I.T.C.H.' girls' boyfriends (plus Taranee's brother Peter) is especially cringeworthy.

But at least the book makes a point that boys and girls have the same feelings and insecurities, and are really not that different from each other; girls are not creatures from a different planet who are impossible to understand (I hate that 'Boys Talk About Girls' chapter') - that's patriarchal nonsense designed to separate us further. No sex is superior nor inferior to the other - we are all human and equal.

'W.I.T.C.H. Guide to Crushes' might be helpful to young teen girls experiencing their first crush (male or female or other, it doesn't, in fact, matter). Like with the other old 'W.I.T.C.H.' guide books, it talks about the importance of female friendship and support to coincide with its subject. There's a bit about potentially abusive and toxic relationships not being worth it and you should move on (though of course it doesn't use those exact words). A "Deal with disappointment" message is in here, too. And it is 'W.I.T.C.H.', so I can't dismiss the book entirely.

Only keep in mind while reading that it is a product of its time.

Final Score: 3/5