Such a cute book!
This book is so great. My 6 year old absolutely loved it, easy read for younger kids and kids learning how to read as well. 10 out of 10!
Eliud Ortiz
The Birthday Party
Editorial Review of The Birthday Party
3 out of 5 stars
"Be aware of the angels that are devils in disguise. A book that helps children navigate unpleasant circumstances and people thru positivity!"
Light and trite and yet a good read for children who find themselves in the 2nd to 3rd grades. True to life, but lacking depth, a quick read that is meant to have elementary-aged children relate to the text and storyline without experiencing overwhelm.
The author has a mother's heart and does a good job of explaining the different personalities and groups most children will encounter within their childhood school days. What will you do when you find yourself targeted by the "cool kids", excluded intentionally, or if it's a close friend of yours that's being treated unfairly who needs you to stand by their side? What are the feelings you're going to feel and how will you choose to handle them? Will you react or think before you act?
This book highlights the role we as parents are able to have in our children's lives as our kids go to school each day. Not every day is a good day! Some days are harder than others. When our kids come to us with bad experiences that befell them due to the actions of others, how are we going to model our own reactions to them? What are we going to do to help them solve the things they come up against? How can we think outside of the box to ensure our kids are still able to participate in aspects of life that others were set on excluding them from or taking away from them entirely?
A book that children could read aloud, or to themselves quietly, on their own but also a book that a parent could read with their child. If read together as a family it would naturally open up a discussion where a parent could ask questions and inquire with their child as to their lives at school, the kids they are having to interact with regularly each week, and how your child believes they fit in within the mix of personalities and behaviors. Is your child an observer, part of the problems others face, or do they play a role within the solutions?
A book that on the outside seems little more than something to occupy a child for a half hour, might also prove to be the kind of book that makes a parent and child think beyond its pages into how they can look out for the underdogs and save them.
3-stars and most definitely worth reading!
Editorial Review of The Christmas Pageant
In The Christmas Pageant, Marissa Koons explores this question through Natalie and Beth, two girls whose complicated relationship becomes one of the most interesting parts of the story.
Beth is a particularly intriguing character. At first, she comes across as the typical “mean girl”; jealous, dismissive, and determined to make Natalie feel uncomfortable at every turn. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that there is more to Beth than her unpleasant behaviour. Knowing that she and Natalie were once close friends makes their present relationship even more complicated.
I found myself wondering what could have caused such a change in Beth. Why does someone who was once capable of being a good friend become so hostile? The story gives us glimpses of the girl behind her behaviour, leaving readers to think about the reasons children sometimes act out or hurt others. I would have loved to see more of Beth’s perspective and understand what shaped her behaviour, as this could have added even more depth to her character.
One thing I enjoyed about the book is how naturally it presents issues children may experience in their everyday lives. Through Natalie’s experiences, Koons explores bullying, friendship, insecurity, self-worth, and the importance of speaking up when something is wrong. Characters like Lia, Abby, and Anthony also provide different examples of what genuine and supportive friendship looks like.
I particularly appreciated that the story does not encourage readers to simply hate Beth. Instead, it creates room for empathy while still showing that her actions have consequences. This makes Beth more than just an antagonist; she becomes a character through whom readers can think about jealousy, insecurity, friendship, and the possibility of change.
Marissa’s use of a first-person narrative works well for the story. Seeing events through Natalie’s thoughts and emotions allows readers to understand how experiences that may seem small to adults can feel much bigger to a child. The conversational and accessible language also suits the target audience, with informal expressions and dialogue that make Natalie’s voice feel natural and relatable.
I also enjoyed the imagery used throughout the book. The descriptions of decorations, costumes, glitter, feathers, food, and other pageant preparations create a lively and festive atmosphere. At the same time, this cheerful Christmas setting contrasts nicely with the more serious subject of bullying.
Although I would have liked more insight into Beth’s perspective, I think her character is one of the reasons this story stands out. The Christmas Pageant is a gentle but meaningful children’s story that reminds us that there can be more beneath a person’s behaviour than we see on the surface.
Overall, Marissa Koons has created an accessible story with valuable lessons about kindness, self-worth, friendship, and empathy. It is a simple read, but one that can encourage young readers to look beyond appearances, value genuine friendships, and understand the importance of speaking up when someone’s behaviour crosses a line. I recommend this book to children, middle school readers, teachers and parents who seeks to understand what a child passes through silently and how to help them speak up without fear.
Book link: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Pageant-Marissa-Koons-ebook/dp/B0G6L6Z4MW
5 out of 5 stars
What happens when a childhood friendship changes in a way you never expected?