Michael Garland (1)

Do kids like these? Seems kinda superficial to me, and earnest in the message that a good book will 'take you right into it' so to speak. But it's giggle-worthy, too.

Fun to spot the characters. Everyone will get Red Riding Hood; but how many will recognize Tom & Huck? On the back shelf are bonus titles [b:A Child's History of England|1775352|A Child's History of England|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348804562l/1775352._SX50_.jpg|49624] (by [a:Charles Dickens|239579|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1387078070p2/239579.jpg]!), [b:The Brownies: Their Book|3185763|The Brownies Their Book|Palmer Cox|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551562775l/3185763._SX50_.jpg|3218632] by [a:Palmer Cox|495164|Palmer Cox|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1317331889p2/495164.jpg], and [b:Drifting Around The World|27925390|Drifting Around The World|Charles Winslow Hall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677814529l/27925390._SY75_.jpg|16634489], by [a:Charles Winslow Hall|2041072|Charles Winslow Hall|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (I think, if I got the right match). Odd choices... the only one I've even heard of is Cox's.… (more)

A group of little children decide to play in Mr. Smith’s garden but their play turns out to be a disaster for the delicate floral plants.

If I had to rate this book for the message itself, it would have been a solid 5 stars. It brings up lessons of utmost importance: respecting others’ property, asking for permission, considering things from others’ perspective, apologising when necessary, and taking responsible and corrective action for any damages caused by you. Each of these morals is a must for children.

However, the book felt too short as most of the pages contained just a few words and it was over even before I realised it. (The blurb of this book on Goodreads is longer than the entire story!) The illustrations were decent. The tips to parents and educators at the end of the book are very helpful. But I can’t help feeling that the story should have had a little more. I will still recommend it to all parents as a must-buy for young kids who rarely see things from any perspective other than their own.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boys Town Press, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.



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