Over the Top

 

Written by Alison Hughes

RP Kids

978-0-7624-7312-0

192 pp.

Ages 8-12

August 2021

 

Diva is anything but. She's a quiet eleven-year-old who would prefer to read and write and dream up new feelings that need their own vocabulary, like "That feeling where you desperately want to be in your bed, with the covers pulled tight over your head..." (pg. 72) or "That awful, guilty feeling of helplessly almost hating your parent and knowing they don't have a clue at all" (pg. 112). What she doesn't like is over-the-top...anything. And now her effervescent, always over-the-top mother has fallen in love with a monstrosity of a pink castle, as has her nine-year-old brother Hero, and the family is moving.

 

Though Hero fits in and makes friends easily at their new school, it's so much harder for Diva, especially when her mother, thinking she's helping, tries to force a friendship with another sixth grader and their neighbour, Miranda Clay. But Diva knows Miranda's kind of bully: she's the mean girl who thinks she's better than others. Though it's often an under-the-breath comment or an eye roll, Diva knows that, "Silent bullies are still bullies"(pg. 70). Worse yet, Diva's mom doesn't see how she keeps embarrassing Diva when her over-the-top enthusiasm for everything, including her party-planning business with which Hero and Diva often help out. Though her dad understands how hard it may be for Diva, especially at school, he encourages her to get involved with some extracurricular activity. And so Diva auditions for the school production of The Wizard of Oz in which she gets an unconventional but noteworthy part.

As Diva navigates the newness of her school and meeting other kids in her own way, she is overwhelmed by new feelings she'd love to define, including how to be herself, in the face of a mother (and brother) who are kind but just don't understand her low-key approach.

Books are wonderful vehicles for connecting young readers with characters who are like them. As such, many introverts will appreciate Diva's predicaments, including being true to herself and her own social needs and appeasing her mother and her brother who think that the bigger the party the better and being funny and loud and sociable is the only way to be. Fortunately, Alison Hughes who has handled many tough issues like anxiety, serious illness and abandonment in her picture books (e.g., The Cold Little Voice, 2019), middle grade novels (e.g., Kasey & Ivy, 2018) and young adult books (e.g., Hit the Ground Running, 2017) tells Diva's story as an exemplar for finding your own voice without shouting over others, thereby accepting others' differences as valid, just distinct. She also learns how to handle a bully, finally, and recognize a friend when presented with one or two.

I hope that young people like Diva who don't insist on being in the limelight always and who are able to spend energy on introspection rather than just on sociability will see themselves in Over the Top, especially if it helps them accept themselves as they are. Diva has got a pretty good handle on that herself and her dictionary of complicated and yet familiar feelings was undoubtedly valuable to that end. Over the Top will leave young introverts with the sigh of relief that they can be their understated selves and occasionally endure an over-the-top anything, perhaps even to their own benefit.

Violet Shrink

Written by Christine Baldacchino

Illustrated by Carmen Mok

Groundwood Books

978-1-77306-205-1

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

March 2020

Young people may not be familiar with the term "shrinking violet" which refers to those who are shy and uncomfortable in the limelight. But, thanks to Christine Baldacchino's titular character, they will soon learn to accept children who prefer solitude and quiet as just another difference that makes our world stronger with diversity.

From Violet Shrink by Christine Baldacchino, illus. by Carmen Mok

Like most people, there are some things that Violet likes and some things she doesn't. She doesn't like celery in her soup. She doesn't like brand-new crayons that break the first time they're used. (Who does?) But she also doesn't like parties. She likes some parts of parties, like cake and music, but all together with lots of loud people just makes her stomach ache and her head hurt.

From Violet Shrink by Christine Baldacchino, illus. by Carmen Mok

Her dad may use synonyms for parties like "reception" or "potluck" but ultimately Violet finds herself at parties with her dad telling her to just play with the other children and say hello to the adults.

It's not until she has to attend a "shindig" for her cousin that Violet finds an imaginative tactic to help her get through the event. Sadly her father does not understand, believing that it's good for her to get out among others; that is, until she tells him how she really feels about parties. Finally, he allows her to attend these events in a way that is comfortable for her.

From Violet Shrink by Christine Baldacchino, illus. by Carmen Mok

Introverts and shy persons know the unpleasantness of being thrust into loud and crowded social situations. Extroverts may thrive on social interactions but, for a small portion of the population, attending these events can be painful and anxiety-filled.  It's unfortunate that Violet has to spell it out to her father who should have seen how sensitive his daughter was to these circumstances, instead of finding new ways to trick her into attending events. It's a delicate subject for children to try to be themselves but contrary to requests of parents or teachers. Fortunately author Christine Baldacchino knows how to give children voice through her stories. In her debut picture book Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress (Groundwood, 2014), Christine Baldacchino gave a boy the freedom to enjoy imaginative play that had him sporting a tangerine dress. In Violet Shrink, she allows a little girl to be introverted or shy and still voice her need for quiet and solitude. The text never condemns those that prefer rollicking social events but Christine Baldacchino lets Violet recognize what she needs and then enlist her father's help in meeting those needs.

Carmen Mok's illustrations, a blend of gouache, coloured pencil and graphite pencil, provide a very sombre background to Violet's story, appropriate for a child who is thrust into anxiety-causing situations. Fortunately, there is much that is rosy in her life, from her purple-coloured headphones and the natural world of flowers, water and trees, which Carmen Mok makes colourful and bold and uplifting.

Not all children like being around lots of people and, with Violet Shrink, Christine Baldacchino and Carmen Mok have given introverts and shy children the opportunity to see themselves and be accepted as they are.

Timo's Party

by Victoria Allenby

Illustrated by Dean Griffiths

Pajama Press

978-1-77278-008-6

48 pp.

Ages 5-8

October, 2016

Bunny rabbit Timo Vega learned in last year’s Timo’s Garden (Pajama Press, 2015) that he needed to spend a little bit more time tending to his friendships rather than obsessing about his garden and he’s learned that lesson well.  With food critic Madame LaPointe coming to Toadstool Corners as part of her search for the best small towns to visit, Timo agrees to host an apple festival in his orchard so that his friend Hedgewick Stump, the hedgehog, can show off his culinary skills.  But as soon as he’s made the offer, the crowd-averse rabbit is regretting his decision.

From Timo's Party 

by Victoria Allenby

illus. by Dean Griffiths

Organizing his tasks into a list of three things–invitations, decorations and games–Timo begins to feel that the Toadstsool Corners Apple Festival might be manageable after all. Though Hedgewick sees the attributes that will make Timo a great host–he is organized, generous and thoughtful–Timo’s other friends, knowing how much he hates big parties, advise him how to be confident and comfortable around lots of people.

With the help of his many friends, Timo is able to pull off a great party, and Hedgewick, with only a small cooking mishap, caters an impressive apple festival.  Like the very different apples and bananas in the recipe at the conclusion of Timo’s Party, Timo and Hedgewick come together spectacularly. Each brings their own strengths to their endeavour and are successful in supporting the other when needed.

From Timo's Party

by Victoria Allenby

illus. by Dean Griffiths

Timo’s Party is an exceptional early reader for imparting an engaging life lesson. But author Victoria Allenby never preaches or instructs the reader how to live life well, or be a good friend or be brave.  Instead, she swathes that message in Timo’s daily experiences, taking advantage of a true story-telling opportunity.  It’s easy to see beyond the anthropomorphized animals–with their clothes, speech, and human endeavours–as just a bunch of friends whose lives the reader is pleased to share.  Though not a fully-illustrated book, Dean Griffiths's artwork helps take the reader into the friendly world of Toadstool Corners.  From the plaid jacketed Timo with his subtle smile and relaxed ears, to the rose-toqued badger Rae and the bustling Hedgewick, Dean Griffiths gives life to the animals in Timo’s Party, taking them from characters to neighbours.  And, let me say, we are all pleased to have been invited to this party, and look forward to more good times in Timo’s neighbourhood.

From Timo's Party 

by Victoria Allenby

illus. by Dean Griffiths

Bear's Winter Party

by Deborah Hodge

Illustrated by Lisa Cinar

Groundwood Books

978-1-55498-853-2

32 pp.

Ages 4-7

September 2016

Bear has a sweet life of living in the forest on the side of a mountain.  He has trees, berries, water and fresh mountain air.  But he’s a little lonely. He is a bear, after all, and Deer, Beaver, Chickadee, Squirrel, Hare and Fox all run away when he’s around. Worse yet, he hears them talking about him and what made him so feared. With winter coming and his long hibernation sleep, he decides to take action, inviting the other members of his forest community to his Winter Party, depositing written invitations where they might find them.

Bear cleans and decorates and cooks and prepares for his guests.  Just when he thinks no one is coming, he sees them all peeking out from behind trees. It’s the brave Chickadee who scouts out the scene inside and encourages the rest to come forward.  Though still a little apprehensive being in bear’s lair, the animals are polite and they begin to enjoy themselves, first with the delicious food and drink, and then with a sing-along and dancing. Finally, Bear’s new friends depart, each with a parting gift, and he can rest knowing that he'll be able to welcome the spring with a forest full of friends.

From Bear's Winter Party

by Deborah Hodge, illus. by Lisa Cinar

Deborah Hodge, best known for her countless non-fiction books, has written a heart-warming story perfect for the onset of cold weather.  It’s a story of friendship and diversity and acceptance and risk-taking.  And, though the youngest may wonder why all the animals don’t just get along from the onset –and we as adults wonder this all the time about our own species–Bear’s Winter Party will open doors for discussion and repeated story-telling. Lisa Cinar, whose art portfolio is as varied as her lush illustrations for Bear’s Winter Party, uses watercolours to create colourfully textured animals and forest landscapes, as well as a finely-furnished home for Bear.  But it’s the style of Lisa Cinar’s watercolours that creates such movement and richness in her illustrations in which the characters are always ample and bold, not a shrinking violet amongst the group. By pairing Lisa Cinar’s art with Deborah Hodge’s story, Bear’s Winter Party becomes a party in itself, deep in colour and friendship.

From Bear's Winter Party 

by Deborah Hodge, illus. by Lisa Cinar

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Deborah Hodge is coming to the Eden Mills Writers' Festival this Sunday.  Come and meet her and get your copy of Bear's Winter Party signed, ready for reading when it's time to hibernate (or party with friends).