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Recommend this book:
Willow the Skunk Gets Schooled
On Why It Is Good To Be Different
Joshua Evan Roig
2024 Finalist
37 Pages
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Children - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite
Fear is the most powerful and paralyzing of all emotions. Emotions are natural and everyone has them, but the trick is in how to control them. Willow the Skunk has to face a typical fear of school-aged children in Willow the Skunk Gets Schooled: On Why It Is Good to Be Different by Joshua Evan Roig. Many children are afraid when they begin a new school, move, or meet someone new. Willow’s mother encourages him and teaches him that being different is good and that facing his fear is the best way past it. It takes bravery to overcome fear, but when one faces fear head-on, they learn they can overcome the fear. Because Willow tried, he soon made new friends and enjoyed his new neighborhood and school. I would have loved to have had this book for kids during my forty years of counseling.
What do you do when fear rears its ugly head and paralyzes you? Willow the Skunk Gets Schooled by Joshua Evan Roig is an excellent tool for parents to use to calm fear and help their child push through to victory. This picture book is a delightful and easy read that packs a powerful lesson concerning fear that will aid your child throughout their life. Parents will enjoy this book because the colorful illustrations will hold their children’s interest while they learn important life lessons. Helping your children learn how to deal with fear is one of the most empowering tools you can give them. Use this book as a fun learning tool and enjoy the benefits of your children overcoming fear. I highly recommend this book.
Fear is the most powerful and paralyzing of all emotions. Emotions are natural and everyone has them, but the trick is in how to control them. Willow the Skunk has to face a typical fear of school-aged children in Willow the Skunk Gets Schooled: On Why It Is Good to Be Different by Joshua Evan Roig. Many children are afraid when they begin a new school, move, or meet someone new. Willow’s mother encourages him and teaches him that being different is good and that facing his fear is the best way past it. It takes bravery to overcome fear, but when one faces fear head-on, they learn they can overcome the fear. Because Willow tried, he soon made new friends and enjoyed his new neighborhood and school. I would have loved to have had this book for kids during my forty years of counseling.
What do you do when fear rears its ugly head and paralyzes you? Willow the Skunk Gets Schooled by Joshua Evan Roig is an excellent tool for parents to use to calm fear and help their child push through to victory. This picture book is a delightful and easy read that packs a powerful lesson concerning fear that will aid your child throughout their life. Parents will enjoy this book because the colorful illustrations will hold their children’s interest while they learn important life lessons. Helping your children learn how to deal with fear is one of the most empowering tools you can give them. Use this book as a fun learning tool and enjoy the benefits of your children overcoming fear. I highly recommend this book.
Recommend this book:
All I Gained
The Gift of an Unforgettable Friendship
Dale Maiella and Kara Shade
2024 Honorable Mention
32 Pages
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Children - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite
All I Gained is a heartwarming children's picture book written by Dale Maiella and Kara Shade, with illustrations by Kathleen Andrews. It tells the story of two best friends, Emma and Riley, who meet in an art class. Despite having different personalities and preferences, the girls form a strong bond that lasts for decades. They support each other through happy times and tough moments, including high school, breakups, college, marriage, and even their eventual separation. Throughout their friendship, they use the dragonfly as a symbol to represent their bond. When tragedy strikes, it brings hope and comfort. Celebrate the enduring power of friendship by picking up a copy of this book.
All I Gained is a beautiful book that will captivate young readers and remind everyone of the special relationships that can be formed through genuine connections. It explores themes of love, loyalty, loss, and resilience, and its messages will resonate with children and adults, and leave them with a lasting impression. The story has a good mix of emotions and themes that keep readers engaged throughout, from moments of excitement to those that tug at the heartstrings. This balance between lighter and heavier elements creates a compelling and unforgettable read. I loved that the authors used rhyming words because it added a rhythmic flow and a touch of whimsy to the story. The best part of this book is the artistic illustrations that bring the characters and their surroundings to life. The splash of bright colors makes the book look vibrant and attractive. All I Gained is a must-read for anyone who loves emotionally engaging children's storybooks with profound messages.
All I Gained is a heartwarming children's picture book written by Dale Maiella and Kara Shade, with illustrations by Kathleen Andrews. It tells the story of two best friends, Emma and Riley, who meet in an art class. Despite having different personalities and preferences, the girls form a strong bond that lasts for decades. They support each other through happy times and tough moments, including high school, breakups, college, marriage, and even their eventual separation. Throughout their friendship, they use the dragonfly as a symbol to represent their bond. When tragedy strikes, it brings hope and comfort. Celebrate the enduring power of friendship by picking up a copy of this book.
All I Gained is a beautiful book that will captivate young readers and remind everyone of the special relationships that can be formed through genuine connections. It explores themes of love, loyalty, loss, and resilience, and its messages will resonate with children and adults, and leave them with a lasting impression. The story has a good mix of emotions and themes that keep readers engaged throughout, from moments of excitement to those that tug at the heartstrings. This balance between lighter and heavier elements creates a compelling and unforgettable read. I loved that the authors used rhyming words because it added a rhythmic flow and a touch of whimsy to the story. The best part of this book is the artistic illustrations that bring the characters and their surroundings to life. The splash of bright colors makes the book look vibrant and attractive. All I Gained is a must-read for anyone who loves emotionally engaging children's storybooks with profound messages.
Recommend this book:
Wishes Are Free
Diana Mercedes Howell
2024 Bronze Medal
234 Pages
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Children - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite
Rose and Linney had been together for as long as they could remember. Linney lived next door to her, exactly one hundred and one steps from her bedroom door. Rose O'Reilly could not imagine life without her best friend, someone she always expected to be there for her, in sickness and in health. Unfortunately, the only thing constant in life is change and her best friend was set to move to Chicago in a few months. Rose was heartbroken and she knew deep in her heart she wouldn’t be able to find anyone to replace her best friend. She sought comfort in the warm and kind wisdom of her grandfather who knew what she was going through, having just recently lost his own best friend: his wife. Join Rose O'Reilly in Wishes are Free by Diana Mercedes Howell as she discovered new friends in unexpected places.
Wishes Are Free was a heartwarming tale of family, friendship, and love. Rose was young and could not understand why the universe decided to have her best friend in the whole world move away. They were still best friends, of course, but it wouldn’t be the same since they would be thousands of miles apart. The account of Rose’s struggles allowed me to view the depths of her heart and character. The story revealed the importance of friendship and the value of empathy. It taught me how to move forward despite the uncertainty. At the book’s core, we learn about the many forms of love and friendship. Rose’s experiences taught me about compassion and kindness. Even when someone was mean to her, she still chose not to tell on him despite his rude actions. When it came to something that truly counted, our girl Rose was not afraid to stand up for the ones she loved. Her wishes were sweet and sincere which reflected her good heart. Rose inspired kindness and warmth with her honest thoughts. Her grandfather helped her grow and learn in the face of distress. The bond between Rose and her grandfather was the main foundation for such an inspiring tale. Diana Mercedes Howell has presented an unforgettable, pure, and powerful story that imparts many important lessons. Outstanding work.
Rose and Linney had been together for as long as they could remember. Linney lived next door to her, exactly one hundred and one steps from her bedroom door. Rose O'Reilly could not imagine life without her best friend, someone she always expected to be there for her, in sickness and in health. Unfortunately, the only thing constant in life is change and her best friend was set to move to Chicago in a few months. Rose was heartbroken and she knew deep in her heart she wouldn’t be able to find anyone to replace her best friend. She sought comfort in the warm and kind wisdom of her grandfather who knew what she was going through, having just recently lost his own best friend: his wife. Join Rose O'Reilly in Wishes are Free by Diana Mercedes Howell as she discovered new friends in unexpected places.
Wishes Are Free was a heartwarming tale of family, friendship, and love. Rose was young and could not understand why the universe decided to have her best friend in the whole world move away. They were still best friends, of course, but it wouldn’t be the same since they would be thousands of miles apart. The account of Rose’s struggles allowed me to view the depths of her heart and character. The story revealed the importance of friendship and the value of empathy. It taught me how to move forward despite the uncertainty. At the book’s core, we learn about the many forms of love and friendship. Rose’s experiences taught me about compassion and kindness. Even when someone was mean to her, she still chose not to tell on him despite his rude actions. When it came to something that truly counted, our girl Rose was not afraid to stand up for the ones she loved. Her wishes were sweet and sincere which reflected her good heart. Rose inspired kindness and warmth with her honest thoughts. Her grandfather helped her grow and learn in the face of distress. The bond between Rose and her grandfather was the main foundation for such an inspiring tale. Diana Mercedes Howell has presented an unforgettable, pure, and powerful story that imparts many important lessons. Outstanding work.
Recommend this book:
Eclipse Arts
Michelle Chastaine
2024 Silver Medal
152 Pages
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Children - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Eclipse Arts by Michelle Chastaine revolves around three students at the Eclipse Supernatural School for the Arts boarding school as they juggle their passions, family expectations, and friendships. Liska, passionate about music in a family of dancers, meets Airin the banshee and Ephy the light bender as they start their journey at Eclipse. Throughout the school year, the trio encounters administrative issues, handles family pressures, and strives to excel in their diverse talents—music, shapeshifting, and manipulating light. Ephy, a half-goddess, faces the weight of her lineage and her family's desires for fame. Airin deals with bullying and the conflict between passion for music and family obligations. Liska seeks to pursue music despite her family's dance traditions. They prepare for a talent show, but success seems impossible when everything goes wrong, from technical difficulties to backstage drama and even sabotage attempts.
Michelle Chastaine sweeps readers up in a magical mid-grade tale with three characters that we desperately want to see flourish in the first book of this new series by the same name, Eclipse Arts. Chastaine does an excellent job of developing the characters' personal struggles and ambitions, setting the stage for potential growth. Liska, Ephy, and Airin have big issues that are very relatable to young readers, like concerns about fitting in, excelling in their studies, and embracing their unique identities. The supernatural world-building is exceptional, and what I loved most was that the school setting allowed us to learn about the diversity of students and their fantastical traits. We see fox shifters, water shifters, light-benders, banshees, and various magical classes like witchcraft and ghost and ghoul classes. It's just so much fun, so well written, and really engrossing, and both I and my young reader look forward to seeing where the students go next. Very highly recommended.
Eclipse Arts by Michelle Chastaine revolves around three students at the Eclipse Supernatural School for the Arts boarding school as they juggle their passions, family expectations, and friendships. Liska, passionate about music in a family of dancers, meets Airin the banshee and Ephy the light bender as they start their journey at Eclipse. Throughout the school year, the trio encounters administrative issues, handles family pressures, and strives to excel in their diverse talents—music, shapeshifting, and manipulating light. Ephy, a half-goddess, faces the weight of her lineage and her family's desires for fame. Airin deals with bullying and the conflict between passion for music and family obligations. Liska seeks to pursue music despite her family's dance traditions. They prepare for a talent show, but success seems impossible when everything goes wrong, from technical difficulties to backstage drama and even sabotage attempts.
Michelle Chastaine sweeps readers up in a magical mid-grade tale with three characters that we desperately want to see flourish in the first book of this new series by the same name, Eclipse Arts. Chastaine does an excellent job of developing the characters' personal struggles and ambitions, setting the stage for potential growth. Liska, Ephy, and Airin have big issues that are very relatable to young readers, like concerns about fitting in, excelling in their studies, and embracing their unique identities. The supernatural world-building is exceptional, and what I loved most was that the school setting allowed us to learn about the diversity of students and their fantastical traits. We see fox shifters, water shifters, light-benders, banshees, and various magical classes like witchcraft and ghost and ghoul classes. It's just so much fun, so well written, and really engrossing, and both I and my young reader look forward to seeing where the students go next. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Your Face Lights Up the World
Jodi Meltzer
2024 Gold Medal
38 Pages
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Children - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
We all have unique features that make us distinct and special in our own ways. Jodi Meltzer's Your Face Lights Up the World follows the story of two fraternal twin siblings, Hunter and Harper. Hunter and Harper have been sent outside by their mother to play together after a fight. Determined to get her back, the siblings decide to build a fort tall enough to keep all the adults out. As they set off in different directions, Hunter finds a stone full of sparkles that he likens to his sister's freckles on her face. Feeling upset, Harper finds a stick she wants to use as a wand on her brother. But Hunter soon reveals that for all his teasing, he actually likes Harper's freckles.
Your Face Lights Up the World is a wholesome adventure tale about two siblings that teaches a valuable lesson about self-esteem. Jodi Meltzer infuses this wonderful story with a spoonful of humor and heart that will put a smile on your face. This is the kind of book that brightens your day and makes you feel good about yourself. Meltzer's characters and their vibrant personalities are brilliantly captured on the pages through the lively artwork by Jody King Camarra. Hunter and Harper's sibling rivalry is something most kids and even some adults will be able to relate to. Their relationship is adorable, and these two are bound to charm their way into your heart. Overall, I found the book funny and heartwarming in equal measure. Young readers will love this picture book.
We all have unique features that make us distinct and special in our own ways. Jodi Meltzer's Your Face Lights Up the World follows the story of two fraternal twin siblings, Hunter and Harper. Hunter and Harper have been sent outside by their mother to play together after a fight. Determined to get her back, the siblings decide to build a fort tall enough to keep all the adults out. As they set off in different directions, Hunter finds a stone full of sparkles that he likens to his sister's freckles on her face. Feeling upset, Harper finds a stick she wants to use as a wand on her brother. But Hunter soon reveals that for all his teasing, he actually likes Harper's freckles.
Your Face Lights Up the World is a wholesome adventure tale about two siblings that teaches a valuable lesson about self-esteem. Jodi Meltzer infuses this wonderful story with a spoonful of humor and heart that will put a smile on your face. This is the kind of book that brightens your day and makes you feel good about yourself. Meltzer's characters and their vibrant personalities are brilliantly captured on the pages through the lively artwork by Jody King Camarra. Hunter and Harper's sibling rivalry is something most kids and even some adults will be able to relate to. Their relationship is adorable, and these two are bound to charm their way into your heart. Overall, I found the book funny and heartwarming in equal measure. Young readers will love this picture book.
Recommend this book:
King of Realms
Britt Asher
2024 Gold Medal
246 Pages
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Children - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Tracy Traynor for Readers' Favorite
King of Realms by Britt Asher is a magical fantasy adventure for kids aged 10-14 and is book 1 of 5. Although a magical beast stole a precious item, Varric is caught trying to steal it and he is dragged before the throne. He is sentenced to death by the King of Iloria. Luckily, one of the king’s guards steps forward and suggests an alternative. The king agrees and gives Varric two weeks to return with the stolen relic. An unlikely trio sets off to recover the magical relic. Varric is a Transporter, Princess Setia is a Shifter, and a big guy called Argo (a fantastic character) is not only a tournament champion but a Bonder who can summon powerful beasts to aid him. These three must visit magical places and take on all manner of mystical beasts in this fast-paced, exciting read.
I loved the light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek repartee between the characters, especially Varric’s comments, which are normally muttered for his ears only. King of Realms by Britt Asher is a compulsive page-turner that I couldn’t put down. I think this is pitch-perfect for children’s coming-of-age books. I found it to be a truly unique and original story with amazing world-building and very memorable characters. It is rare to find a fantasy book that has both fantastic world-building and characters that you love, but this book has both. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next one. A great book for young and old alike!
King of Realms by Britt Asher is a magical fantasy adventure for kids aged 10-14 and is book 1 of 5. Although a magical beast stole a precious item, Varric is caught trying to steal it and he is dragged before the throne. He is sentenced to death by the King of Iloria. Luckily, one of the king’s guards steps forward and suggests an alternative. The king agrees and gives Varric two weeks to return with the stolen relic. An unlikely trio sets off to recover the magical relic. Varric is a Transporter, Princess Setia is a Shifter, and a big guy called Argo (a fantastic character) is not only a tournament champion but a Bonder who can summon powerful beasts to aid him. These three must visit magical places and take on all manner of mystical beasts in this fast-paced, exciting read.
I loved the light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek repartee between the characters, especially Varric’s comments, which are normally muttered for his ears only. King of Realms by Britt Asher is a compulsive page-turner that I couldn’t put down. I think this is pitch-perfect for children’s coming-of-age books. I found it to be a truly unique and original story with amazing world-building and very memorable characters. It is rare to find a fantasy book that has both fantastic world-building and characters that you love, but this book has both. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next one. A great book for young and old alike!
Recommend this book:
Rain Falling on Embers
Liana Gardner
2023 Honorable Mention
252 Pages
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Children - Coming of Age
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Rain Falling on Embers is filled with emotion, drama, suspense, and adventure. It is intended for middle-grade readers and contains some potentially distressing themes, such as death and abduction. Penned by Liana Gardner, this thrilling and highly intense work allows young readers to experience a contemporary drama with real-world issues through the eyes of young Katie, who was thirteen when her life was turned totally upside down. Grieving for her father and feeling alone in a town where she knew nobody, things took an even worse turn when Katie was abducted and left to fend for herself in the hills as a violent storm approached.
Liana Gardner has achieved something truly unique in this children’s novel, developing a realistic, heartfelt, and serious drama the likes of which I’ve never seen in middle-grade fiction before. This is exactly the sort of sophisticated read I’d have been looking for as a pre-teen, exploring the world of contemporary drama through Katie’s eyes and learning to cope with loss and trauma. Kids who have gone through anything similar to Katie’s experience are sure to find that this work speaks to their souls, and those who haven’t will doubtless learn a great deal of empathy and maturity from the sensitive portrayal of emotions that Gardner conveys from cover to cover. I would not hesitate to recommend Rain Falling on Embers for all young readers, but perhaps especially as a classroom or youth club read that is sure to inspire many deep conversations.
Rain Falling on Embers is filled with emotion, drama, suspense, and adventure. It is intended for middle-grade readers and contains some potentially distressing themes, such as death and abduction. Penned by Liana Gardner, this thrilling and highly intense work allows young readers to experience a contemporary drama with real-world issues through the eyes of young Katie, who was thirteen when her life was turned totally upside down. Grieving for her father and feeling alone in a town where she knew nobody, things took an even worse turn when Katie was abducted and left to fend for herself in the hills as a violent storm approached.
Liana Gardner has achieved something truly unique in this children’s novel, developing a realistic, heartfelt, and serious drama the likes of which I’ve never seen in middle-grade fiction before. This is exactly the sort of sophisticated read I’d have been looking for as a pre-teen, exploring the world of contemporary drama through Katie’s eyes and learning to cope with loss and trauma. Kids who have gone through anything similar to Katie’s experience are sure to find that this work speaks to their souls, and those who haven’t will doubtless learn a great deal of empathy and maturity from the sensitive portrayal of emotions that Gardner conveys from cover to cover. I would not hesitate to recommend Rain Falling on Embers for all young readers, but perhaps especially as a classroom or youth club read that is sure to inspire many deep conversations.
Recommend this book:
The Cousins Are Coming
Kay Jones MA
2023 Bronze Medal
32 Pages
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Children - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Family get-togethers are always a lot of fun, especially when you're a kid, as you meet and play with kids your age when your cousins join in on the fun. The Cousins Are Coming is one such adventure story of a family get-together. Written by Kay Jones, MA, in catchy rhyming verses, with some lively illustrations by Peter Trimarco, the story follows a group of siblings awaiting the arrival of their cousins. Excited and brimming with energy, the kids greet their cousins enthusiastically. But now it's time to cosplay, using rock-paper-scissors to decide who will play which role. Soon, the kids will spy on their parents, play hide-and-seek, look at old family pictures, race across the house, eat ice cream, play board games, and at the end of an exhausting day, argue over who will sleep where.
I still remember the days I waited patiently for family get-togethers when my cousins would come, and we would get into tons of mischief and create an uproar all over the house, much to the chagrin of our parents. This is precisely the energy and vibe I got while reading The Cousins Are Coming. Kay Jones has created a short, sweet story of rhymes for kids to enjoy. The combination of quirky characters and hilariously funny dialogue and rhymes are bound to entertain children of all ages. Peter Trimarco's illustrations are the icing on the cake, making it even more enjoyable. I can't recommend this one enough.
Family get-togethers are always a lot of fun, especially when you're a kid, as you meet and play with kids your age when your cousins join in on the fun. The Cousins Are Coming is one such adventure story of a family get-together. Written by Kay Jones, MA, in catchy rhyming verses, with some lively illustrations by Peter Trimarco, the story follows a group of siblings awaiting the arrival of their cousins. Excited and brimming with energy, the kids greet their cousins enthusiastically. But now it's time to cosplay, using rock-paper-scissors to decide who will play which role. Soon, the kids will spy on their parents, play hide-and-seek, look at old family pictures, race across the house, eat ice cream, play board games, and at the end of an exhausting day, argue over who will sleep where.
I still remember the days I waited patiently for family get-togethers when my cousins would come, and we would get into tons of mischief and create an uproar all over the house, much to the chagrin of our parents. This is precisely the energy and vibe I got while reading The Cousins Are Coming. Kay Jones has created a short, sweet story of rhymes for kids to enjoy. The combination of quirky characters and hilariously funny dialogue and rhymes are bound to entertain children of all ages. Peter Trimarco's illustrations are the icing on the cake, making it even more enjoyable. I can't recommend this one enough.
Recommend this book:
Turning the Corner
Ruozhen Ma
2023 Silver Medal
171 Pages
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Children - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Turning The Corner is an adventure drama story for preteens by Ruozhen Ma. Inspired by her own experiences of re-joining school after two years of distance learning due to COVID lockdowns since 2020, Ruozhen recalls the period of adjustment she and her friends had to go through to feel like traditional fifth graders. With the advent of fifth grade also came dealing with puberty and the social cliques of school, which is never easy for any young girl. Being a Chinese American also adds to the challenges of trying to fit in. Upon her arrival in fifth grade, Ruozhen wins the student rep elections and performs spectacularly in sports, music, and writing contests. But is she prepared for middle school, where rumors, gossip, and social cliques are going to be on the next level?
The pandemic has created an unprecedented situation where schoolchildren of this generation have been forced to study from home for two years and return to the pressures and challenges of mingling with their peers in school. Ruozhen Ma, an eleven-year-old author, eloquently puts her experiences on paper and tells an engaging story any preteen can relate to. Turning The Corner represents the kids who have lost two years of their school life and now have to start anew. Ruozhen's interactions with her family, friends, and teachers feel genuine and authentic, and you can't help but find them adorable. The narrative is paced well and breezes past without a single hitch. I highly recommend this book to preteens and young adults alike.
Turning The Corner is an adventure drama story for preteens by Ruozhen Ma. Inspired by her own experiences of re-joining school after two years of distance learning due to COVID lockdowns since 2020, Ruozhen recalls the period of adjustment she and her friends had to go through to feel like traditional fifth graders. With the advent of fifth grade also came dealing with puberty and the social cliques of school, which is never easy for any young girl. Being a Chinese American also adds to the challenges of trying to fit in. Upon her arrival in fifth grade, Ruozhen wins the student rep elections and performs spectacularly in sports, music, and writing contests. But is she prepared for middle school, where rumors, gossip, and social cliques are going to be on the next level?
The pandemic has created an unprecedented situation where schoolchildren of this generation have been forced to study from home for two years and return to the pressures and challenges of mingling with their peers in school. Ruozhen Ma, an eleven-year-old author, eloquently puts her experiences on paper and tells an engaging story any preteen can relate to. Turning The Corner represents the kids who have lost two years of their school life and now have to start anew. Ruozhen's interactions with her family, friends, and teachers feel genuine and authentic, and you can't help but find them adorable. The narrative is paced well and breezes past without a single hitch. I highly recommend this book to preteens and young adults alike.
Recommend this book:
And Sometimes Y
David Ross
2023 Gold Medal
34 Pages
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Children - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite
And Sometimes Y is a children’s picture book by David Ross with illustrations by Bogdan Gărgărită. In a world of alphabetic letters, X, a consonant, and O, a vowel, fall in love and have a child, Y. Unfortunately, Y acts like both a consonant and a vowel, which causes a lot of confusion among the letters. As Y grew, more confusion arose, which built a wedge between the parents, who claimed that Y was a vowel or a consonant. It caused the parents to argue, and Y felt sad and alone because neither the vowels nor the consonants wanted to be around Y. The parents tried to change Y with guilt and subtle hints. But something marvelous happened when Y decided to embrace both identities of being a vowel and a consonant.
I love it when an author thinks outside the box and uses a simple concept to deliver a powerful message. And Sometimes Y combines lessons about individuality and uniqueness and teaches children about consonants and vowels. Children will learn to be inclusive, have confidence in themselves, and embrace their differences. David Ross is a great storyteller who made me feel compassion for these characters to the point where I forgot they are just letters in the alphabet. He made them relatable and made me see myself in them. The book also has beautiful visuals that bring the story and characters to life. The drawings were unique, and I loved the different sketches of the letter Y. They showed the internal struggle that the character experienced. I recommend parents and guardians read this book with their children and teach them that it is okay to be different because it makes us special and unique.
And Sometimes Y is a children’s picture book by David Ross with illustrations by Bogdan Gărgărită. In a world of alphabetic letters, X, a consonant, and O, a vowel, fall in love and have a child, Y. Unfortunately, Y acts like both a consonant and a vowel, which causes a lot of confusion among the letters. As Y grew, more confusion arose, which built a wedge between the parents, who claimed that Y was a vowel or a consonant. It caused the parents to argue, and Y felt sad and alone because neither the vowels nor the consonants wanted to be around Y. The parents tried to change Y with guilt and subtle hints. But something marvelous happened when Y decided to embrace both identities of being a vowel and a consonant.
I love it when an author thinks outside the box and uses a simple concept to deliver a powerful message. And Sometimes Y combines lessons about individuality and uniqueness and teaches children about consonants and vowels. Children will learn to be inclusive, have confidence in themselves, and embrace their differences. David Ross is a great storyteller who made me feel compassion for these characters to the point where I forgot they are just letters in the alphabet. He made them relatable and made me see myself in them. The book also has beautiful visuals that bring the story and characters to life. The drawings were unique, and I loved the different sketches of the letter Y. They showed the internal struggle that the character experienced. I recommend parents and guardians read this book with their children and teach them that it is okay to be different because it makes us special and unique.
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