Elise Primavera

Sophie Claus finds her great aunt, Auntie Claus, supremely "mysterioso" in this entertaining holiday tale, setting out to discover her older relative's secrets. Why does Auntie Claus wear a diamond key on a chain around her neck? Where does she disappear to on her annual "business trip," which lasts from Halloween to Valentine's Day? Stowing away in Auntie Claus's luggage, Sophie finds herself transported to the North Pole, where she is pressed into service as an elf, working in the show more mail-room. But although she is surrounded by the magic of Christmas, Sophie can't seem to take in Auntie Claus's number one rule - that it is better to give than to receive - until she finds her younger brother's name on a list of bad children, and realizes that he will not get any gifts this year. Her response proves that she does indeed have the Christmas spirit...

Although long aware of Auntie Claus, as well as its two sequels, Auntie Claus and the Key to Christmas and Auntie Claus, Home for the Holidays, it was not until this year (2016), that I finally got around to reading it. I'm glad that I did, as the story is great Christmas fun, offering a magical holiday fantasy featuring the extended family of that legendary gift-giver, Santa Claus. I liked that Sophie's transformation only came after lots of hard work, and that it was the result of her affection for her brother. Elise Primavera's artwork, done in gouache and pastel, is colorful and bright, capturing Auntie Claus' elegant figure, and Sophie's many magical adventures perfectly. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining Christmas tales featuring Santa Claus and his gift-making factory/facility at the North Pole. show less

Louise Cheese returns in this third picture-book devoted to her adventures, this time vowing (in imitation of her older sister) to get straight As in school. But although Louise does the absolute best she can, her teacher, Mrs. Pearl, always seems to be encouraging her to do better. Will Louise ever get an A? Is Mrs. Pearl the meanest teacher ever? Louise certainly thinks so, until her teacher doesn't turn up one day, and an overly indulgent substitute appears on the scene...

Like its show more predecessors - Louise the Big Cheese: Divine Diva and Louise the Big Cheese and the La-Di-Da Shoes - this picture-book pairs an engaging story from author Elise Primavera with appealing artwork from illustrator Diane Goode. Louise is a flawed but nevertheless goodhearted young girl, one who thinks big and is sometimes a little self-involved, but who still manages to come around to the right way of thinking in the end. I don't find Louise quite as winsome as Fancy Nancy, to whom she has been compared, but I definitely think she has some charm. Recommended to anyone who has read and enjoyed other stories about Louise the Big Cheese. show less

One of the things about growth is saying goodbye to books that are just not good enough. I’m happy to say I still enjoy this fun Santa riff. The illustrations with art deco inspiration are the star.

Good fun.

Louise Cheese longed to make a splash and be a big deal - a Big Cheese. When her teacher announced auditions for the class play of Cinderella, she decided that she would be the star, envisioning being discovered by a big Broadway producer. When her best friend Fern won the part instead, Louise didn't react well at all, even refusing to speak to Fern. But when the big night arrived, and her friend was gripped with stage fright, Louise came through after all...

The first of four books show more chronicling the adventures of the eponymous Louise, Louise the Big Cheese: Divine Diva pairs Elise Primavera's engaging tale of a believably flawed but nevertheless sympathetic young heroine with Diane Goode's colorful and humorous artwork. Although perhaps not the most admirable quality, the desire to be the star, the center of attention, is one with which most young children will be able to identify. Recommended to young would-be divas, and to anyone looking for children's stories about handling the experience of not being the star. show less