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Title: Anne Dreams

Author: Kallie George

Publisher:Penguin Random House Canada: Tundra Books

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

Thank you NetGalley for a free ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The sixth and final book in an early illustrated chapter book series inspired by Anne of Green Gables, starring the spirited Anne Shirley as she pursues her dream of becoming a teacher.

Anne is starting to grow up, but she’s still disappointed with her red hair — it’s one of her lifelong sorrows. One day, she buys a bottle of hair dye in order to have raven black hair like her best friend and kindred spirit, Diana. Unfortunately, the dye ends up turning her hair green! This upset causes Anne to start focusing on improving herself inside, rather than her looks . . . and leads to a new dream taking shape: Anne wanting to become a teacher! She joins a club for students studying to get into Queen’s College. But can Anne overcome her fear of failing? And how can she study hard when pesky Gilbert is distracting her?

My thoughts:
This book fills a big need in the publication market. There are so many great picture books and middle grade books, but there aren’t as many quality early chapter books. This is a great way to introduce kids to a classic series. It stays true to the story while making it accessible to lower readers. I wasn’t a huge fan of the illustrations. They make sense in a retro sense because it’s based on a classic, but I don’t know how appealing they would be to modern readers.

Top Five Wednesday is a goodreads group that posts weekly top five lists based on bookish prompts.

This week’s prompt:

November 16th: Young Reads

Last month we talked about books that got us into reading, but let’s talk specifically about books for young readers! These don’t necessarily need to be books that got you into reading, but maybe young reads that left a deep impression on you growing up (or maybe you did read them and that’s why they left a deep impression). What books would you share?

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1)
by C.S. Lewis

Island of the Blue Dolphins
by Scott O’Dell

Little House in the Big Woods (Little House, #1)
by Laura Ingalls Wilder,

Summary:

This is an early reader print format of a Robert Munsch classic. Wherever Julie Ann goes a mud puddle jumps on her. Then, she runs back home where her mom drops her into the tub. A clean Julie Ann returns outside, only to be attacked by the muddle puddle once again. At last, she is able to defeat the mud puddle with a smelly bar of yellow soap.

My thoughts:

This is a delightful story that kids and parents will love. The idea of a child constantly getting dirty is relatable and the humorous illustrations add to the story. As a reading teacher, what I love most is that this imprint includes lots of good reading information to make the experience more beneficial to early readers. Included are simple bulleted lists of phonics skills, pre-reading ideas and tips for read aloud. This is so helpful for teachers and parents who want to make the reading meaningful for early readers. This would be a great addition to any primary classroom or home library.

Tag: children's books

Children’s Book Review: Anne Dreams by Kallie George

Top 5 Wednesday 11/13/22

Book Review: Mud Puddle Early Reader by Robert Munsch

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