Brownie and Pearl Series by Cynthia Rylant Illustrated by Brian Biggs

from goodreads

4 stars

We are all trying to do our best. Yes, there are some creepizoids that think their best is to be completely weird and what have you, but, we still strive to do the best we can.

Parenting is the same. All of us parents are doing the best we can. We might not always make the right decisions, but sometimes feeding our kids ice cream for breakfast is the only way to get through the morning, and hey, at least they're eating. (Note, it is usually me eating the ice cream and my kids eating normal things like cereal, but I digress.)

Sometimes the only way to keep our sanity intact is through bribes, gentle to strong persuasion and at the end of the day a shut door and a good book. If that is what you need to do on tough days, that's fine. Just keep trying to feel the love and remember, just do the best you can.

Synopsis

This is a series of books about a little girl named Brownie and her cat Pearl. They go to a party, a store, eat lunch and more.

My Thoughts

So, we got these books at the library by my use of very gentle persuasion. My daughter wanted to get two of those Barbie books that are the learn to read type of books. That would mean she would want me to read them all the time and the whole time I would feel my brain turn to mush and I would be looking for the nearest wall to hit my head against. Since I like my head and I like my brain I began searching for books that would perhaps be a fair trade. I turned around and there, on the shelf, were six of these Brownie and Pearl books. The covers looked appealing and I said "Look at these. Why don't we get all six of these and you put away the Barbie books." And you know what? It worked!!! Thanks you  Brian Biggs for making such kid friendly illustrations and covers. I owe you a huge debt. You rock.

For the books themselves, well, the story isn't anything to write home about. It is just really simple words and repetitive. Brownie does something then Pearl does the same thing or vice versa. It is a great book to help kids learn to read by themselves, not so much for imagination building stories. But, they are still way better than those learn to read type books, blah. What makes these books really great is the illustrations. They are fun and colourful and just a joy to look at.

I like the one story when Brownie and Pearl are going to a birthday party and Brownie was scared to go in. That is something that kids can relate to. I think that is why my two girls really liked the books and wanted them read over and over. They could relate to what was happening. Brownie and Pearl go to parties, they go to parties. Brownie and Pearl eat lunch, they eat lunch. See, relatable.

I believe there are eight books all together in the series. It might be worth checking out. At least it will they will get your kids into reading by themselves and your head and brain will thank you for it.