More of the absolutely lovely Violet Mackerel series has come in, and both of these are delightful.
Violet Mackerel's Possible Friend
Anna Branford, illustrated by Elanna Allen
ISBN: 9781442494558
Read February 15, 2015
Violet Mackerel's Pocket Protest
Anna Branford, illustrated by Elanna Allen
ISBN: 9781442494589
Read February 15, 2015
Possible Friend: Fresh off of a wedding and a move to a new house (the previous books, reviewed here) Violet is a little concerned about her neighbors - they have a very nice and very neat house and yard, and a little girl just her age that MIGHT become a friend, if things work out well. The anticipation and nerves of making a new friend, and of worrying about whether your family and your home measures up, the one scene where the two mothers take it in turn to be stressed and nonplussed about their respective daughters' raptures over how the other family/home/mother is so amazing, everything is just pitch perfect! And by the end of it, Violet has a new friend, aptly named Rose.
Pocket Protest: Rose and Violet enjoy a park at the end of their street, and especially an old oak tree that is just perfect for sitting under and sharing time and secrets. They are horrified when a notice is put up, indicating the tree is getting cut down for a parking lot. A micro-protest is underway, with help from parents and elder siblings, and the tree is saved, and a small sweet mystery is solved along with it. Admittedly a bit sugar-coated and streamlined, but a very excellent introduction into social activism in a way smaller kids will appreciate and want to emulate. Bonus points for gratuitously adorable usage of acorn caps.
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