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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
We were lucky enough to have the author, Tricia Springstubb, visit our school. I had lunch with her and I can't say enough about what a lovely, warm, talented person she is. I was able to ask her questions about the idea behind her books, and her writing process. I have read this book to approximately 300 children and they all loved it - I suggested to the author that she write some more Phoebe and Digger books - hopefully she will! I am also going to ask publishers to reprint some of her earlier children's books - I would love to get them for my library!
Full review here: http://slatebreakers.com/2013/08/22/review-phoebe-digger-by-tricia-springstubb-illustrated-by-jeff-newman/
I liked this one a lot. A girl with a construction toy? A baby making a pooping face? This is great!
I really like this book! Phoebe gets Digger when her mom has a new baby. She misses the attention of her busy mother, but she loves her toy and plays happily (and noisily) with it at home and at the park. She doesn't appreciate crybabies, like literal babies or squeamish little boys - until she finds herself wanting to cry too when a bigger girl takes Digger without asking. There's no dramatic resolution to the problem(s) presented, but Phoebe's mom notices what's happening and steps in quietly, affirming Phoebe's feelings and making her feel safe. I love that the book specifically states this feeling. There's no drama around how Phoebe feels or doesn't feel, which tracks with lots of little girls I know but NOT the standard dramatic kids in popular books. I also love that Phoebe favors a toy vehicle (rather than, say, a doll) and likes making noises with it, digging in the dirt, using her imagination and being active. Again, I think that's true to life, but not often reflected in the princess-obsessed girls that populate many children's books.
Love that phoebe is a girl that loves her digger and that she and her mama have dark skin. Dislike: phoebe is disrespectful to her mom and is a bully, although less of a bully than the big girl. I like that the villain is a blonde haired girl. The illustrations are fabulous.