Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Jellybeans and the Big Book Bonanza
Illustrator: Lynn Munsinger
Picture Book Series
For ages 5 to 7
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010 ISBN: 978-0810984127
Anna loves to read. In fact, she reads whenever she can, and for her there is “nothing more exciting than finding a good book.” Anna is therefore delighted when her teacher announces that they are going to have a Big Book Bonanza in class. Each of the students will have to go to the library where they will need to choose a book that is about something that really interests them. After they have read the book, they will have to write a report about it.
Anna is delighted that she will finally get to show her three best friends how splendid the library – her favorite place – is. At first Bitsy, Emily, and Nicole don’t want to be reading books, until Anna and the librarian show them that they can read books about their favorite things. Bitsy gets a book about famous artists because she loves to paint. Emily gets a book about ballerinas because she loves to dance, and Nicole gets a book about soccer because she loves the game and plays it whenever she can. As her friends start reading their books, Anna discovers that she doesn’t know what she should pick. Later, after her report is written she comes up against an even bigger challenge. Luckily, her three friends are there to help her.
This charming book not only shows readers that reading can really bring you joy, but it also explores the ways different people who come in “different flavors” can get along and be the best of friends.
