Synopses & Reviews
andlt;b andgt;Introducing Violet Mackerel, a charismatic new chapter book star with a zest for life and an endearing, relatable voice akin to Ramona Quimby and Junie B. Jones. andlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Violet is a seven-year-old with a knack for appreciating the smallest things in life: her and#8220;Theory of Finding Small Thingsand#8221; states that the moment of finding a tiny treasure usually coincides with the moment of having a genius idea. This creative little girl always strives to think outside the box, so when she spots a small china bird that she desperately wants, she forms an imaginative plan for getting itand#8212;and her methods are anything but ordinary!andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;iandgt;Violet Mackereland#8217;s Brilliant Plotandlt;/iandgt; is the first book in an irresistibly charming series starring Violet and her family that has pitch-perfect perspective and plenty of laugh-out-loud humor.
Review
and#8220;A collection of small things and a generous gesture win Violet Mackerel the Blue China Bird sheand#8217;s admired for weeks at the Saturday-morning marketand#8230;.The gentle, present-tense narration reflects the thinking of an imaginative and quite determined 7-year-old, following the model of elders who envision goals and work toward them. Sheand#8217;s not always realistic about her own abilities. Her theory of the importance of small things mirrors the series of small moments that make the storyand#8230;. Allenand#8217;s grayscale drawings enliven almost every pageand#8230;. Violet and her family are original and appealing, a lovely addition to any chapter-book collection of characters.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;Violet is a true original: a complicated heroine for new readers who is neither stereotypically spunky nor silly. She needs her motherand#8217;s gentle guidance but is able to solve little problems all by herself. Will there be a sequel? Letand#8217;s hope so.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;Violet has a marvelous world viewand#8230;. Debut author Branford and illustrator Allen offer up a charming new chapter book star, who is sure to appeal to fans of Sara Pennypackerand#8217;s Clementine or Paula Danzingerand#8217;s Amber Brown.and#8221;andlt;iandgt;andlt;/iandgt;
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"7-year-old Violet
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"This is a sweet story about a likable little girl who just longs for something small...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."
Review
and#8220;Large type on roomy pages ushers newly minted chapter book readers into the world of charming and resourceful Violet Mackereland#8230;. Generous artwork--sometimes cameo-size, other times anchoring a two-page spread--provides a window into Violet's daily life.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; Violet gives girls what Captain Awesome gives boys: a strong character, a large dose of comedy and a sense of adventure.and#8221;
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"7-year-old Violet
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"7-year-old Violet
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"7-year-old Violet
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"7-year-old Violet
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"7-year-old Violet
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andlt;divandgt;"7-year-old Violet
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andlt;divandgt;"7-year-old Violet
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andlt;divandgt;"7-year-old Violet
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"7-year-old Violet desperately wants a beautiful china bird from the flea market. But to raise the ten bucks to buy it, she'll need to master a new skill: outside-the-box thinking. The results are as warm as VIolet is funny, and the tale ends on the sweetest of notes."
Synopsis
Introducing Violet Mackerel, a charismatic new chapter book star with a zest for life and an endearing, relatable voice akin to Ramona Quimby and Junie B. Jones.
Violet is a seven-year-old with a knack for appreciating the smallest things in life: her "Theory of Finding Small Things" states that the moment of finding a tiny treasure usually coincides with the moment of having a genius idea. This creative little girl always strives to think outside the box, so when she spots a small china bird that she desperately wants, she forms an imaginative plan for getting it--and her methods are anything but ordinary
Violet Mackerel's Brilliant Plot is the first book in an irresistibly charming series starring Violet and her family that has pitch-perfect perspective and plenty of laugh-out-loud humor.
About the Author
Anna Branford was born on the Isle of Man and spent parts of her childhood in Africa and in Papua New Guinea. Now she lives in Melbourne, Australia, with a large black cat called Florence. She writes, drinks cups of tea in her garden, and makes dolls and other small things, which she sells at early morning markets. You can visit Anna at AnnaBranford.com. Elanna Allen is an author/illustrator, the creator of Playhouse Disney characters “Whiffle and Fuzz,” the writer and director of award-winning films for Nickelodeon, and the director of a Moby music video. Elanna wrote and illustrated Itsy Mitsy Runs Away, is the illustrator of the Violet Mackerel series, and splits her time between London and New York. Visit her at ElannaAllen.com.