  | Full Text Reviews: Bulletin for the Center... - 10/01/2012 Every Saturday, young Violet accompanies her older siblings and her mother to the flea market where her mom sells her knitting, and where Violet looks longingly at a blue china bird for sale in one of the stalls. She decides to hatch a plot to obtain the bird for her own, but her many efforts fail; a simple act of generosity on her part, though, gains the attention of Vincent, the stall owner, and he eventually gives Violet the very thing she wanted all along. This trim little chapter book, the first of an Australian series now being published in the U.S., is a delightful tale with an original protagonist in Violet, who will be especially appreciated by kids who think outside the box. Young readers ready to tackle longer sentences and the occasional tricky vocabulary word will be able to handle this on their own, but it would also make a splendid readaloud selection, especially for a multi-age group. Branford’s writing is pithy and piquant, and her descriptions of minor familial frustrations are particularly realistic and humorous. Allen’s monochromatic illustrations are occasionally cutesy, but they are warm and friendly and their frequency will give respite to novice readers. Kids who aren’t quite ready for the reading level of Cleary’s Ramona books will find this has similar appeal. JH - Copyright 2012 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. School Library Journal - 12/01/2012 Gr 1–3—Every Saturday seven-year-old Violet Mackerel accompanies her mother, sister, and brother to the local market where her mother tries to sell her knitted goods. When she covets a special blue china bird but does not have 10 dollars to pay for it; she needs to concoct a brilliant plan to come up with the money. Can she try digging in her backyard to unearth ancient dinosaur bones? Will she be able to think of something she can knit and sell? This is a sweet story about a likable little girl who just longs for something small. While Violet is still a unique character, she is much more subdued than Judy Moody or Junie B. Jones, and there is definitely an audience for a quiet but creative heroine. Black-and-white drawings, some full page, add touches of whimsy and humor. A charming easy reader that also serves as a thoughtful, gentle read-aloud.—Elizabeth Swistock, Jefferson Madison Regional Library, VA - Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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