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readaloud_mom's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
My kid LOVES Princess Lina and enjoys trying out the small science projects in the backs of the books, and I've come to love this series, too; it has so much more emotional depth than I realized at first!
Princess Lina is under a lot of pressure in this story - she's trying to choose her future magical specialty and she is also trying to figure out what to make for her art assignment at school! I loved the twist on "our character is stumped by school assignment ". While Princess Lina struggles with creativity and coming up with an original idea in this story, blah blah blah...
...she also has to struggle with how to make an honest art project about herself when huge parts of her identity need to be kept secret at school. In Lina's case, the secrets are things like "I live in a cloud castle" and "I can create snow" - but I feel like that theme can resonate far beyond the fantasy scenario. (For example, while the story has zero LBGT+ specific content, it did have a lot of resonance for me as a queer woman.)
Also, I love how Princess Lina's mom was finally like, "you can always change your magical specialty later, there's no reason you actually have to plan your whole life right this second." <3 Good job removing some of that anxiety and pressure, Lina's mom!
...she also has to struggle with how to make an honest art project about herself when huge parts of her identity need to be kept secret at school. In Lina's case, the secrets are things like "I live in a cloud castle" and "I can create snow" - but I feel like that theme can resonate far beyond the fantasy scenario. (For example, while the story has zero LBGT+ specific content, it did have a lot of resonance for me as a queer woman.)
Also, I love how Princess Lina's mom was finally like, "you can always change your magical specialty later, there's no reason you actually have to plan your whole life right this second." <3 Good job removing some of that anxiety and pressure, Lina's mom!
mldavisreads's review
3.0
Childrens First Chapter book, light fantasy. Let me start by saying this is book 4 in the series and I have not read any of the previous books. This thin little book had a lot going on-- much more than I expected. Lina is part of a magical family that lives in the sky and controls the weather. Everyone else in the book is non-magical. Lina attends a regular school with strict instructions to keep her magic to herself. So when her assignment is to create an art project that shares something of herself, she is stumped. Lina loves science and magic, but neither work for an art project. On top of that, her grandfather is asking her to choose what her specific weather power will be. Elementary school seems awfully early to think about a career path, but he insists she is ready. So Lina finds herself under a lot of stress. Of course everything all works out, with Lina coming up with last-minute ideas for both er project ad her weather role. This book discusses different forms of art, knowing yourself, and trying again after making mistakes.
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