Paulette Bogan

Flossy was a very bossy girl. She liked to boss her cat, her younger brother, even her mother and teacher! Every time she encountered some sort of limitation, like being sent to her room at home or given a time out at school, she felt aggrieved, as if people weren't listening to her. She remained oblivious to the way in which her behavior affected others, until a new student named Edward showed up, and proved to be every bit as bossy as she. Would the two become friends or show more enemies...?

Fortunately, Flossy's fiery interaction with Edward provides just the learning experience she needs in order to reevaluate her own behavior. I liked the fact that Paulette Bogan allows her eponymous heroine to grow, but doesn't reform her completely, that Flossy still has a tendency toward bossiness, even if she learns to control herself a bit better. This subtly communicates to children that they don't have to change fundamental aspects of their character in order to improve their outward demeanor. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories addressing good manners and consideration for others. show less

Virgil and Owen, the penguin/polar bear duo whose story began in the eponymous Virgil & Owen, return in this second picture-book adventure, this time confronting a new issue in their growing friendship. Whilst Virgil likes to do everything quickly, Owen likes to take his time. Unfortunately, Virgil's penchant for trying to control his friend is still evident, as he continually finishes his tasks for him, rather than allowing him to complete them himself. Eventually Owen has had enough, and show more lets out a mighty roar, sending Virgil into a snow heap. Is it the end for these two polar friends...?

Like its predecessor, Virgil & Owen Stick Together offers an exploration of the theme of friendship for the preschool picture-book set, demonstrating the right and wrong ways of interacting with our companions. The message here is particularly apt, I would think, as so many young children do have a natural tendency toward impatience, just as Virgil does. I was amused to see, after noting the arctic/antarctic mash-up involved in these stories - polar bears and penguins live on different ends of the earth, after all, and would be unlikely to meet in the wild - that the author dedicates her book "To making friends with your polar opposite!" Apparently she is well aware of the ecological fantasy involved something I wondered about, reading the first book. With a sweet story, and the same fun artwork as the first - I like how Paulette Bogan captures the personalities of her two main characters - this is a book I would recommend to anyone looking for good stories about friendship for younger children, as well as to any readers who enjoyed the first Virgil and Owen title. show less

When Virgil the penguin "finds" a polar bear, he decides that he will keep this new ursine companion as his own. Telling the bear that he is his, Virgil is dismayed and then angry when the bear proceeds to play with all of the other animals on the ice. Sliding with the seals, ice-skating with the other penguins, the bear is an equal-opportunity playmate, and singularly unimpressed when Virgil throws a temper-tantrum. Declaring that his name is Owen, the bear refuses to just follow along. He show more does invite Virgil to join the group, however...

A sweet little tale of how (and how not) to make friends, Virgil & Owen demonstrates the dangers of trying to possess or control our companions, rather than truly valuing them as friends, and allowing them the freedom to make their own decisions, and to have other friends. The artwork, done in pen and watercolor, depicts the arctic/antarctic creatures and their wintry world in a fun way. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books about friendship. show less

Everyone has met Flossy. Or is Flossy! Come on, you know who you are.

Flossy is definitely bossy. She even bosses around her toys. Though you may be charmed by her crazy, curly hair and that bright, I-know-what-I’m-doing look in her eye, eventually you will tire of doing everything Flossy’s way.

But Flossy has never experienced this so-called bossy fatigue, not until another little boss, Edward, shows up. As Flossy and Edward become instant frenemies, they recognize the bossiness in each show more other. And in what I think is a clever, no-easy-solution ending, these two children don’t find a magic answer. They are who they are and they work it out between themselves. So refreshing!

Shout out to the bold, colorful illustrations that work perfectly with the story by author-illustrator, Paulette Bogan.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. show less