Rosie Leads the Way
by
Renee Irving Lee
Illustrated by Lisa Coutts
Publisher: Empowering Resources
Publication date: 24th February 2020
Pages: 38
RRP: $17.00AUD
Format read: Softcover
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
About the book
After talking with her
Mum, Rosie believed she was the most beautiful girl in the whole entire
world - but the day she met Penelope Pennington she wasn't so sure.
Penelope Pennington had the perfect hair, perfect clothes, the perfect
shoes and even the perfect cat! So, when Rosie and Penelope unexpectedly
walk home together, they both make some meaningful
discoveries along
the way.
My review
Rosie's mum tells her she is smart, strong and has a beautiful heart. I love the concept of building self esteem without concentrating on outward beauty and skin deep perfection.
Penelope is the perfect princess and she won't let Rosie play because she doesn't look like a princess. Rosie turns away and starts to walk home but then Penelope needs Rosie as she doesn't want to walk home alone. The road is blocked but Rosie knows another way home. Penelope acknowledges that Rosie is smart. They encounter a few more misadventures on the way home and Penelope always falls apart. Rosie is calm and finds a solution to each problem. Penelope acknowledges with each problem that Rosie is smart, strong and kind.
Rosie tells Penelope she can be smart, strong and kind if she just tries.
We can see that Penelope isn't all that bad because she does acknowledge that Rosie helps her and is willing to try and be better.
The story teaches children to be kind and helpful to someone even if they are mean to you and that true beauty is on the inside in the way you act.
I think the ending was a bit abrupt. Penelope offers to teach Rosie to be a princess in return for her help. Rosie rejects this offer saying she is off to make mud-pies in the sandpit. I think they could have incorporated the two games by playing princess and serving royal mud pies or something that wasn't quite as dismissive.
4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
About the author
Renee is passionate about writing children’s books that promote life-long learning, social inclusion and improve self-esteem. She has always loved working with children, so writing for children has been a natural progression from her work as a teacher and educational freelance writer.
Her diverse background in education extends to teaching primary school aged children, young adults, and children with special needs. Renee was awarded the Young Achiever of the Year Award by TAFE Queensland for her work as a dynamic, student focused teacher who is highly respected for her skills, intellect and dedication. Renee was also inducted into the International Golden Key Honour Society while studying for her Bachelor of Education (Special Education) where she graduated with a Distinction.
Renee lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland with her husband and three children. When she is not writing, you can find Renee spending time with her family, running around on the Oztag field, climbing Emu Mountain, swimming, or sipping on a green tea!
Challenges entered: Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021
Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21
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