Thursday, September 15, 2011

Book Review: Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever


By: Julianne Moore
Illustrated by: LeUyen Pham
Published by: Bloomsbury Kids
Released on: September 13th, 2011
Source: book from publisher to review
Ages: 6 & older
4 stars: I Really Enjoyed It

Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants Patrick are as different as can be-but that doesn't stop them from being the best of friends. After all, they have a lot of important things in common, like having families and liking recess and loving books. But the rest of the kids don't see it that way. They think that girls and boys are just too different to be friends. So one day, Freckleface decides NOT to play with Windy Pants Patrick. And he decides not to play with her. And nothing really changes . . . or does it? She still eats lunch and plays and reads books-and so does he. So why don't those things feel fun anymore?

Witty, warmhearted, and brought to life with LeUyen Pham's gentle hilarity, Julianne Moore's latest book celebrates the importance of recognizing-and keeping-a true friend (quoted from Goodreads).

Freckleface Strawberry and her best friend Windypants couldn't look any more different, she's a girl, he's a boy. She's short, and he's tall. She has red hair and freckles, and he doesn't. She has a mom & dad and he has two moms, and yet despite these differences these two have so much in common. They love to read, go to the museum, play games and do a lot of things most young children enjoy doing. Once they're at school they learn a wonderful lesson about being true to yourself and loving your friends for who they are.

As a parent reading this to me kids, I not only admire the way Julianne wrote the story, I loved how my kids reacted to it. Freckleface Strawberry's message of the importance of being friends and embracing the differences we have is powerful for young readers. The message is simple. It's knowing/learning that despite what other people may say about our friends or us, it's important to love yourself and your friends, because no matter what we look like or what we like or don't like, we're all the same.

This is a really great story that I think children will be able to relate to and take something away from. Especially those who are learning to adapt in elementary school for the first time. I'd definitely recommend picking it up.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~