Melanie Florence

(Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review through Library Thing's Early Reviewers program.)

Sarabeth is what you might call a "tomboy" (Gen X-er here). Sarabeth loves everything about cars: the smell of motor oil; the way a carefully serviced engine purrs like a big cat; repairing broken fan belts and replacing spark plugs. She even loves the stains the engine grease leaves under her nails, because each mark is a reminder of happy memories. Saturdays spent working alongside show more her father in his garage, the family pup supervising from the cool concrete floor. Troubleshooting and bonding.

But her grandmother is a little more old-fashioned, and never hesitates to share her opinions on how things "should" be: Back in my day, little girls played with dolls and wore dresses, not cars and coveralls. When gram's own car has a little hiccup, it's Sarabeth who comes to the rescue. Will Sarabeth's confidence be enough nudge gram into the 21st century?

SARABETH'S GARAGE is an instant favorite. The artwork is lovely, the scenes nicely staged, and it's got a great, empowering message. Sarabeth is so stinking cute (look at her rocking buns-on-braids!) and you can't help but root for her and her in-flux self-confidence. Her parents are awesome and I wish Big Don could adopt me. The only thing that's missing is a spin-off about the family dog - Aussie/cattle dog mix, maybe? - who is a constant, soothing presence in the story. Honestly, everything about this is perfect. No notes. show less

The phrase 'be true to yourself' echoes loud and clear as a little girl follows her heart despite some voices around her.

Sarabeth loves cars and engines and all sorts of things like that, which leaves her grandmother huffing that dolls and being lady-like is better. But Sarabeth can't think of anything better than spending time with her father at his auto shop as she helps him repair car after car. Maybe, something will help prove to her grandmother than girls can like cars and repairing show more them, too.

Starting with a familiar scene of a family sitting in a living room and watching the little girl play on the floor with cars, the wholesome atmosphere of warmth and family support sets the stage for the rest of the read. So, when her grandmother comes with mumbled words of disagreement, it hits with a sharp edge, but Sarabeth still carries the loving encouragement from her parents to add a caring cushion. The time she spends with her father at his shop is presented with energetic positivity and even inspires, which brings across the message of 'staying true to yourself' clearly. Readers will be able to sympathize as the grandmother's opinion isn't easily changed and, most likely, recognize similar situations from their own lives. Of course, there's a lovely round off to the entire story which brings goodness and smiles.

The illustrations are inviting and bring across the emotions, atmosphere, and tale nicely. The text makes a lovely read aloud and fits well to the audience level. Readers, who are more sure of their words, can pick this one up on their own. Plus, the illustrations will help them along, since it's pretty clear what's happening in each scene.

Sarabeth's enthusiasm is addictive, making this a read, which is sure to leave listeners inspired. show less

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A little girl, a greasy garage, and a grandma who needed to learn a thing or two — 10/10

Sarabeth is the kind of kid you just root for immediately. She loves cars the way some kids love dinosaurs or space — completely, obsessively, joyfully. Melanie Florence gives her this wonderful inner world where engines roar like lions and sports cars move like cheetahs, and it makes Sarabeth feel so vivid and real. The animal comparisons are clever without being try-hard, and they'll show more have little ones giggling and nodding along.

The grandma storyline is handled really well too. She's not a villain — she's just a product of her time, with ideas about what little girls "should" be doing. Watching her come around feels earned and genuinely sweet, not preachy. Florence doesn't lecture you; she just tells the story and lets it land.

Nadia Alam's illustrations are what pushed this to a full five stars for me. The art has this gorgeous soft watercolor quality that feels warm and intimate, but there's so much detail packed into every page — the garage settings especially are rich and layered, the kind you want to linger on before turning the page.

This is a book about not letting anyone put you in a box, but it never feels like a lesson. It just feels like a really good story. Buy it for the kid in your life who marches to their own beat — they'll see themselves in Sarabeth instantly. show less

A young girl asks her grandfather what the word for grandfather is in Cree in this poignant picture-book examination of the cross-generational legacy of Canada's residential schools for First Nations people. He is forced to explain that he doesn't know - his words were stolen from him when he was still a young boy, sent off to an abusive institution where he was punished for speaking his own language. Sad and concerned, the little girl takes steps to help him regain what was taken from show more him...

Winner of the Second Story Press Aboriginal Writing Contest, Stolen Words was inspired by author Melanie Florence's relationship with her own grandfather, who was Cree. Like Nicola Campbell's picture-books about the residential school experience, Shi-shi-Etko and Shin-chi's Canoe, it addresses some very un-gentle realities in a gentle way, making it a good introduction to this troubling aspect of Canadian (and American) history. The hopeful ending, in which the granddaughter helps her grandfather to begin to regain what he has lost, hints at the idea that the younger generation might be able to undo some of the cultural damage done by the residential schools. The artwork by Gabrielle Grimard is absolutely lovely, with a subtle and very appealing color palette, and expressive faces on both nôsisim (granddaughter) and nimosôm (grandfather). Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about the indigenous experience in Canada, and the residential school experience specifically. show less