Odd Velvet

Rating:
Summary: Too subtle for young children?
Review: Beautifully drawn, and the message is important. The ironic tone may be lost on some children - it was certainly lost on some of the reviewers! Told from the perspective of an anonymous child in her neighborhood, Velvet is 'odd' for choosing quality and beauty over quantity and conformity. Her classmates ultimately learn by her example. The narrative style will be confusing to younger readers, but it's a hell of a better read for the parents than 'Sheep in a Jeep'! Good for a five year old.

Rating:
Summary: Not so good
Review: I purchased this book online and was attracted by the bright pictures. The illustrations are not as vibrant as shown here, and the story is rather boring, not much happens!

Rating:
Summary: For parents and children to discuss
Review: Odd Velvet is a beautiful story to discuss with children. In fact, if you don't discuss it with your kids, they may miss some of the point of the story or even misunderstand it.

One of the messages in this book is simply that material things (like the biggest paint set, the most crayons, or performers at your birthday party) don't make you the best person. The little girl in this story comes from a family that doesn't play the materialism game, and she turns out to be a wonderful, bright, and special person after the kids get past staring at her hand-me-down clothes.

It's a great discussion starter for a conversation about how your child sees his or her classmates, what it really takes to have fun, why castles have moats, why a volcano produces ash, what makes a drawing of an apple look "real" (my 73 year-old mom had a 30 minute conversation with my 4 year old boy about light and shade in books and around the house after reading this book!).

Don't just read this book with your child, use it as a springboard for a wonderful conversation.