A Bad Case of the Almosts - Janet Sumner Johnson

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AUTHOR: Janet Sumner Johnson

ILLUSTRATOR: Alexandra Colombo
GENRE: Children's Picture Book
RATING: 4.25 stars.

In a Nutshell: A meaningful story about the role ‘almosts’ can play in our life. Balances fun and moral well.

Abby is struggling with the ALMOSTS. Whatever she does, she is defeated by an ‘almost’, whether it is in studies, or in school projects or at home with her brother. When she ends up *almost* slipping one day, she is fed up and decides to give up trying. However, when another child encounters the same situation with a different result, Abby wonders if almosts can be good as well. Thus begins her investigation of each almost she faces.

There are many things to love in this picture book. Abby makes for a wonderful character as you can feel her frustration with every subsequent almost. She won a greater chunk of my heart when she made a journal to keep track of her investigation. Gotta love a little girl who is organised with her lists! 😉

The level of competitiveness among today’s children (and parents) is extreme. In a world where kids are taught to aim for perfection and success in every single thing they attempt, knowing that you *almost* made it can be detrimental to the mind. The book takes this idea and presents a clear picture of the stress the quest for perfection creates. It also highlights how having an *almost* situation is sometimes better than the alternative. I appreciate how the authors show almosts both as positive and negative, rather than showing every single almost to be a good occurrence. Realistic depictions are always better.

The vocabulary level of the book is great for beginner readers. The official target reader age is children aged 4-7 years.

I loved most of the illustrations. Abby, with her freckles and spectacles, is cute. The children in her classroom have varied skin colours and body sizes, thus adding to the inclusivity factor. Abby’s pug is also adorable, and his antics in very appearance are fun. The only illustration I wasn’t fond of was that of Abby’s mom. She didn’t appear like a mom, what with the ever-present flower clip in her hair and dangly earrings even during bedtime. I know there are young mums too, but somehow, this sketch just felt off to me.

Overall though, no major complaints. It is a sweet book with a great message. Definitely recommended. It would work wonderfully in homes as well as in schools.

My thanks to Capstone and NetGalley for the DRC of “A Bad Case of the Almosts”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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