You never know who will pop up and ask you to “read their book” when you are in the book business. Now, many self published authors or small press publishers are not always worth the time, but once in a while you find a small author and/or press that is. And when I was asked by the author Michelle Olson to read their newest book Tales from the Craft Box V02 Emily Was SO Embarrassed, yes I was a little skeptical. However, I also have found some fun books that way.
Now, I have not read the first book (Tales from the Craft Box V01 Sam’s New Sister: A Sidesplitting Spin on Sibling Rivalry, Jealousy, and Big Brother Emotions for Kids) so I did not know what I was getting myself into. When I saw Emily’s story was volume two I was hoping it was a stand alone tale and it is so you can go back to the first book if you like Emily’s story. The theme of the books is familiar as Olson talks about feelings kids have (jealousy, fear). The publisher description says ages four to eight, but I would say four to seven, young eight as it is a picture book format and that 8 year old might be turned off by the format).
The story is easy enough to grasp: Emily has a talent (ribbon twirling/dancing) but keeps it hidden in her room. Her best friend talks her into joining the talent show, Emily is afraid and things work out how they work out. Lesson learned. The End. It is the illustrations, or actually photographs, that really keep things moving and are fresh. They are dioramas that are cute, quaint and a little silly. “Found goodies” (box of crayons, a cotton ball, etc.) make up the world our Button People live in. Things are colorful and cute. The text has some “adult humor” (Emily’s best friend writes “please” in various ways, is so distraught about Emily not joining her in the show she dramatically lays on the ground) or tone that allows the adult reader to get a chuckle or two, but totally kid friendly.
It is a nice book that might not become a classic (but does have the “live action” look of some classics with modern imagery), but it will be a fun book to read.