Book Review: Bears Make Best Writing Buddies by Carmen Oliver, Jean Claude

Bears Make Best Writing Buddies is a picturebook written by Carmen Oliver and illustrated by Jean Claude. Adelaide loves writing. Bear loves writing. But Theo does NOT love writing. Thankfully, Adelaide and Bear are ready to team up and persuade the entire class, including Mrs. Fitz-Pea, that Bears make the best writing buddies. After all, who better to teach you how to fish and forage for new ideas than a bear? 

Bears Make Best Writing Buddies is a fun and enjoyable book that encourages the reader to write their own story. I love that the book acknowledges that the process is hard. Even successful writers hit stumbling blocks and days when the words do not flow, so when books ignore that fact that it can be frustrating bother me. Here Oliver gives strategies to get words down on the page, to keep the story moving, and to figure out what happens next. I really like that the book also points out that first drafts are there to be reread, reworked, and reimagined rather than the final story. I think this book would be a great story to share with any young writer, particularly those that get caught up in the self doubt or cycle of thinking they have nothing to say. It would also be a great tool in classrooms before a writing assignment to help foster inspiration, courage, and perseverance in the class's writing.

Early Book Review: Untitled by Timothy Young

Untitled by Timothy Young is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on May 28 2019. A coatimundi and a capybara (or is it a porcupine?) take the lead in this silly story with a twist ending. Tim Young lets his characters tell the story with scenes readers will likely recognize and brainstorming ideas for Tim's next book. Will we see these characters again? 

Untitled is a cute and unique book that focuses on two characters talking about the story they are in, and why nothing is happening. The discuss things that might make a good story, and things they would like to do. There are illustrations and bits that relate to well known books, and mention of a possible sequel. I thought it was cute and fun, and I liked the illustration style. I enjoyed the read, but was not really  wowed by it. It is worth a read, and I think many young readers will be charmed by it. 

Book Review: Princesses, Inc. by Mari Manscuso

Princesses, Inc. by Mari Manscuso is a middle grade novel that will also appeal to young adults. Twelve-year-old Hailey and her BFFs are all big fans of Collin Prince, a YouTube star. When the opportunity to meet him at a local Comic-Con comes up, the girls jump at the chance. The problem? The convention isn’t cheap—and the girls don’t have the money to go. But Hailey isn’t ready to give up just yet. In addition to meeting Collin at the convention, there is a young writer’s competition that she is determined to enter—and win. The girls dream up Princesses and Pirates, Inc., a babysitting service where the girls will dress up in costume to entertain their charges. Of course, they aren’t as prepared as they thought they would be to deal with bratty kids, scheming older siblings (who are less than thrilled that their own babysitting jobs have dried up), and trying to balance their new “jobs” with school. And more responsibilities means less time for Hailey to work on her contest entry. Will their plan to make it to Comic-Con pay off, or could their business end up as shipwrecked as the pirates they portray.

Princesses, Inc. is a nice story about girls taking a creative approach to reaching their goals. I liked the initiative, friendship, and passion of our main characters and think that on that level they set a good example for readers. They face problems, work toward a solution and despite stumbling blocks and some problems they found their way through, with a little help. I loved the humor and unpredictable nature of the babysitting jobs the girls undertook- as a mom and former babysitter I know that anything can, and will, happen. The balancing of activities and interests is something many tweens and teens face, and I liked the way it was tackled here. I also liked the realistic and relatable way the girls (and their families) are portrayed. I found it refreshing that the parents were parents, and said no but were not actively trying to stop the kids from following their own paths. This is a rare balance in children's literature, and I was incredibly glad to see it here. I think this is an inspiring and entertaining read for the middle grade audience.

Princesses, Inc. is a book that will appeal to readers that are already interested in youtube, comics, videogames, and writing. I liked the writing style and the initiative of the characters, but as a reader that is not overly fond of YouTube or fan fiction (but love the rest of the aspects of ComicCon) I just could not get fully engaged in certain aspects of the story.