Friendship Day Books

I enjoyed reading from the perspective of each character - ladies connected to the bride one way or another. Each woman is going through a different phase in life. You have the aunt of the bride, the grandmother of the bride, a friend of the family's, the bride's best friend, and the bride's soon-to-be sister-in-law. All have their "angst" that day. It shows how weddings bring out the stress in people, particularly with this one being a "grand" event with the fussy mother-of-the-groom being an "everything in life must be perfect" kind of woman. I felt privy to the day's events - like a fly on the wall.

At their best, Melody Carlson's stories are crisply written and filled with the kind of realistic, mind-grabbing plots that force readers to keep reading just one more page. Unfortunately, this "quieter" story by Carlson is the opposite of the above description. "On This Day" chronicles the intertwined stories of five seemingly unconnected women who attend a lavish wedding while struggling to come to terms with their separate issues. Aunt of the bride Elizabeth feels certain that her marriage is quietly crumbling, grandmother Margaret confronts her mortality, bridesmaid Ingrid questions the wisdom of her engagement, sister-in-law Laura struggles with feelings of inadequacy in the face of her husband's wealthy family, and family acquaintance Suzette hides fury over her husband's affair behind an impeccable appearance.

While each of their stories began promisingly, and were potentially the sort of situations that could easily have crafted into compelling reading, somehow each fell flat. One glaring problem, especially as the novel continued, was the amount of repetition. Each woman's problem was discussed so thoroughly and continuously that I often felt like skipping a few pages to get to a part where something fresh happened. Yes, I know that these detailed revelations were meant to draw the reader deeply into each woman's mind, but in this case, the tactic failed too often. Furthermore, these separate yet connected stories often slowly wound their way toward a sadly weak conclusion. Suzette had a snobbish, dramatic nature that could have made her one the most interesting characters, but her storyline fizzled out in a hasty way that seemed almost purposeless. Elizabeth's worries at first evoked sympathy, yet after being so "built up" but ultimately so tidily resolved, they seemed slightly silly. Ingrid's story had satisfying twists and in general, a resolution that would satisfy most readers. Laura's honesty was refreshing throughout "On this Day," although her story suffered some of the same "tidy resolution" problem that Elizabeth's had. As for Margaret, her quiet, sweet wisdom made her a loveable character (and one had to enjoy the small surprise she received at the end of the wedding day).

"On This Day" just doesn't come together as a truly engaging novel. The premise of strikingly different characters thrown together for a single day was intriguing, but was not fully developed, and while flashes of Carlson's best writing occasionally emerged, she failed to craft the kind of captivating plotlines that made previous "Finding Alice" and "Looking For Cassandra Jane" the kind of books that I carried with me until I finished them. Solidly average and unfortunately forgettable, I can only give "On This Day" 2.5 stars.

Melody Carlson's latest novel tells the story of one young couple's wedding day from the perspectives of five women at different stages of their own marriages.

From a young woman newly engaged, to a grandmother recently widowed after almost 50 years of marriage, Carlson craftily weaves together the five women's stories over the course of the wedding day as the women meet, interact, and share their life experiences.

On This Day is a lovely story that is all at once interesting, touching, insightful and thought-provoking. Readers will find themselves easily engaged by Carlson's characters and hoping for a happy ending.

Melody Carlson is a freelance writer and the author of many works of fiction, including Finding Alice and Crystal Lies.

Armchair Interviews says: The perfect summer read.

The adept and talented Melody Carlson (FINDING ALICE, CRYSTAL LIES, HOMEWARD) turns her pen to this contemporary romance about the multi-generational struggles of women that coalesce at a destination wedding in ON THIS DAY.

The point of view of each chapter rotates among several interesting women of varying ages and stages in life. Laura Fairbanks is a frumpy schoolteacher and brand new mom who married the groom's brother David three years ago and has found she doesn't fit into her in-laws' high-powered, wealthy world. Rife with insecurities, the elaborate wedding for David's brother Michael makes her question her own simple lifestyle choices. Elizabeth Anderson is the middle-aged aunt of the bride who is bitter toward her handsome husband Phil because she believes he is interested in a young, attractive divorcee. Women will identify with her frustrations over getting older while wishing she'd just stop complaining long enough to give her husband a chance to explain (which would ruin the tension, of course, so never mind).

The hard-drinking Suzette Burke, middle-aged wife of the groom's boss, is there to keep up appearances and cast a watchful eye on her husband Jim's romance with his secretary. Ingrid Campbell is the cute maid of honor who, caught up in Jennifer Simpson's wedding plans, has gotten engaged. Now, eying one of the handsome groomsmen, she questions her impulse. Readers will love bride Jennifer's grandmother, Margaret Simpson, whose own nearly 60-year-old marriage ended with her husband's death a year previous. Her sweetness, wisdom and vulnerability will help the other women as they sort through their various issues.

It takes a few chapters to get the hang of the novel and fix each character firmly in mind. That said, the joy of this book is Carlson's smooth switches back and forth from various distinctive points of view, and her ability to keep each character from turning into a caricature. Suzette has our sympathy because of her philandering husband, but we shake our head over her own grasping, selfish ways and embarrassing drunken episodes. Ingrid comes across as young and uncertain, but trying to figure out the right thing to do. We want Laura to stop whining, but any woman whose ever had a baby will reluctantly remember how it felt to be postpartum, complete with leaky breasts.

Although the wise sage Margaret's generosity and willingness to share her own imperfect life story changes the lives of some of the other women, she still has her own battle with hopelessness that isn't resolved until the very last pages. This makes for some nice plot tension. Of all the characters, perhaps Elizabeth deserves the least sympathy and the most impatience. (Just talk to your husband, Elizabeth! Puh-leeze!)

The choice of a wedding setting is perfect, since what woman doesn't re-evaluate her marriage or dating relationship when attending another woman's Big Event? As Margaret says, "I suppose weddings do that to us, make us remember when we were young brides." The faith touches are extraordinarily light and fit seamlessly into the text. Carlson also throws in a few nice twists that will catch the reader by surprise, and doesn't feel that she has to tie up the loose ends for every character. This is a fun, enjoyable read that should appeal to women of all ages.


--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby. Contact Cindy at [...].

What would happen if you were able to follow five unrelated women around for a day as they attend a grand, expensive wedding at a remote mountain lake resort? Well, if you were Melody Carlson you would write a delightful book about it called On This Day, which completely immerses the reader into the thoughts and feelings of each woman.

Elizabeth's beloved niece, Jenny, is getting married, and she is determined that nothing will spoil Jenny's day. Elizabeth's worries that her own marriage is falling apart and that her husband is having an affair, but confronting him today of all days is definitely out. When Elizabeth is assigned the task of making sure high maintenance Suzette Burke doesn't cause a scene during any of the festivities, she is forced to hear about Suzette's marital problems. Suzette has just discovered her husband is having a fling with his secretary, and she isn't about to let the floozy have him without a fight.

The maid of honor, Ingrid, is having serious doubts about her own upcoming marriage to her fiancé, especially when she sees Jenny's handsome cousin, Patrick, for the first time in two years. Sister-in-law to the groom, Laura, has just had her first baby and is having her own issues, what with rushing upstairs to feed her baby, leaking breast milk all over her new dress during the luncheon, and worrying that she's underdressed and outclassed at this overly fancy wedding.

Margaret is the grandmother of the bride, and she worries that she is just in the way. She's already had one heart attack, and her doctor has warned her she doesn't have much time left unless she has heart surgery. However, she doesn't want to have the surgery. Her husband is already gone, "So," she wonders, "why would I prolong my reunion in heaven with my beloved Calvin?"

This book delivers a few gentle surprises at the end, which makes it a satisfying read. - Melanie Dickerson, Christian Book Previews.com

Ms. Day novel "Cruising'" is a fast pace, well written, and laugh out loud story of four women who are pretending that life is all good. However, when the stress of dealing with pressures on the job, family drama, and crazy boyfriends become too much they decide to take a cruise. The scenes are steamy. Makes you want to gather your closest girlfriends/boyfriends and take a cruise. This was a very good read.

In Atlanta, Blair Ricci, Madison DuPree, LaShawn Greene and Lauren Hopson are close friends who every Thursday celebrate "Screw Men Night". This time they decide to get away together on a Caribbean cruise. Each needs the time desperately to think how to fix their out of control life.

Suburbanite Blair is shocked to learn that her perfect spouse makes mistakes that can prove quite costly to their relationship. Single swinger Madison finds sex is no longer a turn on as her parade of one night stands seem lacking lately. Religious fanatic LaShawn's insistence on celibacy is driving her fiancé away. Finally Lauren is a super-spouse, super-mom, super-business mogul and definitely super-tired. CRUISING together these buddies seek some harmony in their respective lives after the ship docks.

The four disheartened females are likable protagonists with different needs, desires and troubles that distinguish them from one another. The audience will understand and appreciate that the consistency of the personalities the foursome display throughout as each seeks solutions to their woes seem apropos to that person's basic behavior. Though much of the subplots are conventional, readers will enjoy how each responds to the issue of how to regain some harmony and balance in their respective lives.

Harriet Klausner

CRUISING by Desiree Day is the tale of four women that bonded in a yoga class. Eventually, their time in class turns into a weekly meeting for dinner and drinks. All the women have a secret that leads to a 14-day Caribbean cruise that will give them the opportunity to escape their hectic and tumultuous lives.

Blair is a Caucasian woman whose marriage is on shaky ground due to her husband's infidelity. Lauren is a successful career woman whom while pleasing everyone else has managed to neglect her family, including her patient husband. Madison is a striking beauty that learns a decades old family secret that shakes her foundation. Stacy is a Christian woman who is engaged, but fighting an attraction to one of her student's father.

CRUISING was an entertaining read. Each of the women's situations reminded me of something my friends have gone through. How the women deal with personal issues is described accurately and completely by the author and allows the reader to understand why each of the women makes the choices they made. Desiree Day effectively uses language to paint a picture of the beauty of the Caribbean. The true story in CRUISING was the meaning of true friendship.

Reviewed by Katrina G
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Madison, Blair, LaShawn, and Lauren are four Atlanta girlfriends that met at a yoga class. They start having dinner and drinks on a weekly basis and become as close as sisters. But each of them have a secret. Madison's no-strings attached sex life comes to a halt when her dad shows up with a bombshell that will turn her world upside down. Suburban housewife Blair suspects that her husband is cheating on her. Lauren is burning herself out pleasing everyone except her husband. LaShawn is an engaged kindergarten teacher who's planning her dream wedding and fantasizing about a student's father. The women decide a vacation is in order and go on a two-week Caribbean cruise. With a ship full of sexy eligible men, they decide to have some naughty fun out on the high seas. But will that fun come with a price?

Cruising is a refreshing and breezy read by Desiree Day. Day does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the story. This author's writing is so descriptive that I felt like I was actually on the Caribbean cruise. I liked that each of the four friends came from different lifestyles and backgrounds. This story is not just about a cruise but how people deal with whatever life throws at them, no matter how devastating it is. A novel about a seductive Caribbean cruise wouldn't be complete without a fair share of juicy sex scenes and there is plenty of it for all to enjoy. Cruising is light, tantalizing, and delightful.

Desiree Day introduces Madison, LaShawn, Blair and Lauren in her latest book, Cruising. They are all beautiful women that seamlessly balance love, work and family...or so it seems.

Things begin to unravel at one of their weekly "Screw Men Night" gatherings. Lauren is running herself ragged trying to be superwoman at work and at home. Madison 's libido leads her through a string of sexual romps with no sign of a meaningful relationship in sight. A family secret comes to light that turns her world upside down. Bible-toting LaShawn is the chaste, blushing bride-to-be. Unfortunately her fiancé prefers to make other women blush as LaShawn soon discovers. Blair lives a full life as a loving housewife and mother. She is forced to take off her rose-colored glasses and acknowledge that her husband is having an affair.

Finally admitting the mess their lives have become, the four friends decide that a two-week cruise is the only way to handle their troubles. All are determined to "get their groove back" on the open sea. Madison, LaShawn and Blair concoct a competition that has the boat buzzing. Unfortunately, the competition takes a turn for the worst and threatens their new-found happiness.

Day's Cruising will have you laughing out loud as you follow Madison, LaShawn, Blair and Lauren. The cruise allows each woman to rediscover herself and rebuild her confidence. Madison 's character is outrageous to the point of disbelief but Lauren's voice of reason offsets her antics. Blair and LaShawn's characters fall somewhere in-between both extremes.

Cruising is a great vacation or lazy-day read for anyone looking for humor, romance and adventure.


Reviewed by M. P. McKinney
APOOO BookClub

Just an adorable little holiday book. My son received this book as a gift when he was 2 and just starting to become interested in Dora. Now that he is 4, he's just about about reading it to me! Highly recommended for that little person in your life especially if they like strawberries and chocolate.

Although I paid for expedited delivery, it did not arrive as promised, and missed the birthday of the intended individual.

My 19 month old daughter loves Dora and I was wanting to get her a book for Valentine's Day when we came across this one. Of course, as soon as she saw it she pointed and said Dee Dee (her name for Dora). I wasn't sure how she would respond to it since it's a little longer than the Dora board books we have, but she loves it. It's a cute story about Dora and Boots meeting up at Rainbow Rock to celebrate Valentine's Day. This is a perfect treat for Valentine's Day.

nothing too overwhelming...but typical Dora-style story with "Map" and Swiper the fox. I've seen better stories, but this is decent for a holiday special.

This colorful book celebrates Valentine's Day as Dora and Boots seek to surprise one another with special presents when they meet up at Rainbow Rock.

Boots loves strawberries, so Dora asks young readers to help "pick" five strawberries (in Spanish)--and Boots knows Dora loves chocolate, so he scoops up a cup at Chocolate Lake. (Yum...doesn't that make your mouth water?!)

This simple book finds Boots and Dora encountering benign obstacles on the way to their picnic (including a group of Rosy Red Crabs and a locked Valentine gate). And, of course, Swiper is lurking around trying to swipe the key!

Illustrated with bright colors (but not a glossy book like some Dora books) and using simple sentences, Dora Loves Boots is a great book for celebrating Valentine's Day! It seems targeted towards a younger audience than some Dora books--say, ages 3-5--and there's not as much Spanish as some other books, too.

Still, it's a great bedtime story celebrating love and friendship--as well as a delightful book for beginner readers.

Maybe I should have read the links for this book better, I was looking for primary content and it was a chapter book better for upper grades. I did pass the book along to an upper grade colleague, but either I missed age related links or it was not listed appropriately as a chapter book. Very cute! I hope she can use it, because I would use it in upper grades as writing prompts for top ten lists! Every chapter was fun to read... so my review is just based on my grade level of expectations... others may find it GREAT! Very funny, too! The character has a wonderful adventure and learns a lot about perserverence!
rk

If you like comical books then the Top Ten Ways to Ruin the First Day of School By Ken Derby is just for you.
Tony is always getting in trouble at the Riverview Elementary school in Kansas. Mo and Anna are his best friends that try to control Tony .Tony is doing stupid tricks to try to get on the David Letterman show. After they do the stupid tricks they wonder if they ever would be on the show. Will he get his dream to meet his idol? Will he ever be a TV star? Could he even survive in New York?
We recommend this book for all the people in the world because it is a very funny book. We give this book four stars because the action slowed down in the middle, but the rest of the book was great!

If you are looking for a fun and exiting book full of adventure then The Top Ten Ways to Ruin the First Day of School by Ken Derby is the book for you.
As Anthony Madison AKA Tony Baloney wreaks havoc in Kansas City Elementary school he dreams of meeting David Letterman. As he sets out to fulfill his dream his best friends Mo and Anna join him on the way to New York City. They lose their teacher, escape from cops, and tick off some Hells Angles. What can happen next? Do they make it to New York City? Do they get on the show? Do they find their teacher? To find out the answers read the funny book.
We do recommend this book to our peers because it tells about a hilarious journey to New York City. We give it 5 stars.
By: Jr. Darren and Cristobal

I'm a 4th grade teacher and read this book to my students. We absolutely loved it. I'm trying to find another one like it, with excitement and amusement on every page but have yet to find one. I used this book to get the students excited about reading and it worked. Students who didn't like reading before are now enjoying reading.

If you like adventure and excitement then the Top Ten Ways to Ruin The First Day of School by Ken Derby is right for you!

This book is about Tony, Mo, and Anna. Tony does a lot of bad things and puts it on a list. Then he sends them to The Late Show because he wants to be on it. They go to New York with Mr. Gore, to be on The Late Show. Do they get on TV or not? Read this book and find out.

We recommend this book to you because it was funny, exciting, and makes you want to keep on reading.
We give this book 4 stars!!!!
Kasey, Mariah, and Hailey

Very nicely done and the lesson it teaches is an excellent spirit lifter. Fail at one thing, win at another. This is something all our children should learn as competition becomes increasingly tough. Even if you fail at something, remember "You couldn't feel good if you never felt bad".

A very good lesson -- even for adults.

With a granddaughter in primary school, I am always on the lookout for books that will encourage a love of reading and spark her curiosity about the wonderful adventures that await in the world of books. To this end, I have found that rhyming stories add more fun to early reading.

Couric uses this technique to tell of the latest adventures of Ellie McSnelly and Carrie O'Toole, as the two friends try out for soccer together. Unfortunately, only one of the girls excels in the sport and is chosen for the team. Not to worry; Couric has plans for Carrie and an important life lesson as well. With a little help from her friend Lazlo and her mother, Carrie learns to appreciate her own special talents, in this case a successful effort at an academic school competition.

There is much to be learned in this lighthearted romp through the joys of girlhood; mostly, that each child is blessed with her own special gifts. The girls share in each other's endeavors and realize that different talents make life more interesting for both.

The illustrations are bright and full of energy, the perfect complement to the optimistic rhymes that propel the story. Little girls are constantly beset with choices while making a place in the society of young girls. This enthusiastic approach to problem solving is a delightful read, with subtle lessons of acceptance for differences. Ellie McSnelly and Carrie O'Toole are perfect role models who take on the world hand in hand. Luan Gaines/2004.

How do you help a disappointed child? How would you restore his self-confidence?
Katie Couric deals with this topic in a very entertaining, straightforward way with her "Blue Ribbon Day" that is enhanced with the illustrations provided by Marjorie Priceman.

"The Blue Ribbon Day" could have been a moralistic lesson in life were it not for Katie Couric's wit and "cool" verse as well as her understanding of pre-teen lingo.
This is the second children's book by Newswoman NBC-TV's Katie Couric. Her writing reflects her bubbly, warm, no-nonsense TV personae.

Best friends Ellie and Carrie try out for the school soccer team. The two girls are very disappointed when Carrie is not selected along with Ellie. With Carrie's mom, and her friend Lazlo's help, Carrie overcomes her disappointment, discovers what she excels at, enabling her to win The Blue Ribbon!
Boosting Carrie's self-esteem and perception is the loving help of her mom and friends! What better example to set for an insecure child!

Marjorie Priceman has succeeded in matching Katie Couric's words to perfection.
Her illustrations are fresh and tender, somewhat "cartoonish." Her use of primary colors on a white background conveys the importance of the characters. They make you smile at some of the innocent pranks that children pull in a group setting (Science Fair pages!).
The book jacket is also very attractive with its bright yellows and reds.

"The Blue Ribbon Day" is for every reader, young or old, who has to cope with disappointment or rejection. You never know what you're good at until you try!

Lily Azerad Goldman, Artist and Author Reviewer for Bookpleasures.com

I wouldn't waste any amount of money buying this book for a child unless I wanted them to grow up to become a Paris Hilton wannabe, who's probably an idol to the author of ths book. The author is one of the biggest egomaniacs on television today. I'm sure she'll be wasting the airtime of the 'Today' show to promote the pile of garbage to the viewing public as much as she likes to tout her 'Exclusive' interviews she manages to obtain. Why the network insists on keeping her as an anchor is beyond me. Her journalism skills are a joke. She needs to get a job with 'Entertainment Tonight' or 'Extra' because she's all about 'shock value' journalism. Just listening to her speak is like listening to a pack of hyenas or wolverines mate.

Did you ever have the experience of wearing a Halloween costume on Easter? This book A Crazy Hair day is about a boy named Stanley Birdbaum. Stanley has rolled and wrapped and dyed his hair He has dipped and sprayed his hair intill it was perfect. This book is exquisite,and funny at the same time. You will be amazed at the end, when he finds out... I guess you have to read to find out.

This is a wonderful story about taking a risk that didn't pay off, at least at first. Stanley felt horrible after going all out for crazy hair day on the WRONG day. His classmates put Stanley's feelings ahead of their own embarrassment and their friendship saves the day!

Did you ever have the experience of wearing a Halloween costume on Easter? This book, A Crazy Hair Day, is about a boy named Stanley Birdbaum. Stanley has rolled and wrapped and dyed his hair. He has dipped and sprayed his hair until it was perfect. This book is silly,and funny at the same time. You will be amazed at the end, when he finds out what day it really is. I guess you have to read to find out.

Stanley Birdbaum enjoys all the special days his class commemorates-Pajama Day, Twin Day, Sixties Day. So he goes all out for Crazy Hair Day, using rubber bands, styling gel and two cans of colored Halloween hair spray to fashion a row of blue and orange spikes.

When Stanley arrives at school, he learns that Crazy Hair Day is NEXT Friday. Today is School Picture Day.

Mortified, Stanley hides out in the bathroom. When his buddy finally coaxes him out, Stanley learns his class has devised a way to make him feel part of the class photo.

A great story about being "the-odd-one-out" and enduring teasing, and of friendship and classmate solidarity!

Like so many kids books, this one shows pancakes, suckers, bubble gum, taffy, little crackers, cake, ice cream, potato chips - repeatedly.

We avoid commercial TV and its brainwashing effects on what we eat... Wwhat a disappointment when our favorite characters to advertise this junk to us - no thanks!

This long and growing series is terrific for all kids, but especially only children. Although Henry has no siblings and his best friends are his dog Mudge and his cousin Annie (also an only, apparently in a one-parent household), with the exception of the first book, the series does not dwell on his sibling-free status. It simply presents a well-adjusted kid enjoying a wide range activities. Henry is constructive with his time (but not so much as to be unrealistic; see "Henry and Mudge and the Long Weekend"), sociable, not prone to loneliness and never portrayed as pining for a little brother or sister. As the parent of an "only", I find the whole series great for subtly conveying an affirmative message without beating it over the head.
To be sure, Henry's is a somewhat idealized, white-kid, small-town life and the books are not entirely p.c. - the illustrations of the family car never seem to picture seat belts and Henry's diet apparently includes lots of hot dogs, potato chips and refined sugar. But as part of a wider reading program, Henry and Mudge provide a great series of simple chapter books to be read to youngsters or read by beginning readers.

My children love this book. My 2 year old wanted this for hisbedtime story every night for 2 weeks. It is still one of hisfavorites. His 4 year old sister loves all of the Henry & Mudge books, but she especially loves this one. She keeps asking if we can have a pinata at her party. I like it because it is short enough for the whole book to be a bedtime story.

I was so excited to discover the Willimena Rules! series and purchased all 6 books for my 2nd grader. I love there is an African American female as the main character. However, I have several issues with this particular book.

1. The age recommendation is 9-12, but this book would be too easy for anyone over the age of 8. My 7-year old found it boring. In fact, she found all 6 of the books boring. I sat down and read this story, trying to read it from the perspective of the ages it's intended for. There is one passage that describes what 3 of the characters had for lunch: "I had peanut butter and grape jelly, orange juice, an apple. . . Bill had bologna, grapes, chocolate chip cookies. . . Travis had peanut butter and apple jelly, grape juice. . . " It's tedious lines like that, that are geared more towards young learners, not children in 4th or 5th grade. Unfortunately these books weren't available at the bookstore where I could have read through them before purchasing.

2. The children in the class are EXTREMELY disrespectful to their substitute teacher and there is no repercussion. The teacher asks 2 arguing students to stop and one of the characters replies "You can't tell me what to do, you're not my teacher." The only response from the teacher is to "look puzzled" and not know what to say. I was waiting for this smart-mouthed child to be put in her young place, but it never came. Instead later in the book, when she tells the class to be quiet, no one listen to her. The children are rude, ungrateful, inconsiderate, etc.

I don't expect characters to be perfect or constantly well-behaved, but I didn't expect such disrespect for authority. I haven't read through the other books, but I would not recommend this particular story. And the age range should definitely be lowered to 5-7.

It's has been very difficult trying to find books for my twin 8yr old daughters.

I wanted a series of books with the star character being an African American girl just having fun and doing kid stuff. A book that will make them know that reading is fun. This book does just that and more.

I only wish that there were more of them because I already bought them all.

If you're looking for a great chapter book for an African American girl, then author Valerie Wilson Wesley's series of "Willimena Rules" is it.

Also try, Gloria Rising and Gloria's Way by Ann Cameron.

I was pleasantly surprise to see 3 Willimena books in my local library. We had been in search of chapter books that were geared towards African American girls. I was then disappointed to see that there is a series of 6 soon to be seven and I could not locate them all. None of the Big or small bookstores carried them so I had to happily purchase the series for my daughter and every one of her little girlfriend that has had a birthday party recently. Willimena is your average, well mannered, family oriented 3 grader with the same issue and circumstances that any elementary student may encounter. My daughter, a second grader, absolutely loves the series and wants me to purchase the ones that she has already read. This is a must have for any little girl. Buy the entire series for your child, grandchild, nieces, classroom.....

All these books are perfect for getting kids to take up reading, I buy them by the bunch and they get read inmediately.

I order books for my grandkids and this is in the age range for my grandson. I know he likes this style of book, and is an advid reader, above his age average. The book should be hear any day now and look forward to giving it to him.

Story is ok, nothing wow - about a girl who spends all her time decorating her box to keep her valentines from friends - but forgets to make her valentines for her friends -- nothing too warm and fuzzy about the story.

If you are a fan of Mary Engelbreit, you will be a fan of this book. Once again, the real Queen, Ann Estelle, enters the Valentine's Day festivities with one idea in mind and changes her mind when she realizes the real spirit of this heartfelt holiday. A bonus is included in the back pocket--an Ann Estelle paperdoll. Mary keeps getting better and better!