Jillian Jiggs Series by Phoebe Gilman

from goodreads

4 stars

It is funny what books stay with you over the course of time. I remember first hearing our school librarian read the Jillian Jiggs books to us when I was little. But, until I read the books to my children, I could not have told you what happened in them at all. The story didn't stick. The repetition of "Jillian, Jillian Jillian Jiggs" stuck, but that was about it.

We were given these books (all five in one), I think for Christmas, when my oldest was 3 or so. As I read it to them, I became reacquainted with Jillian and her adventures, and I am happy that happened.

Now, there are other books that I know I was read only a few times as a child, but I still remember the story vividly. I can even remember the setting of me hearing them. I guess it is all to do with book magic. Sometimes you have book magic hit you when you are little and you remember the stories all through life. Other times you don't get the book magic until later on reading it to your own kids. But it is never to late to get that book magic, and that's a good thing.

Synopsis

This is a series of 5 books that follows a little girl named Jillian Jiggs, and her friends and little sister. She makes everything into an adventure, whether it is cleaning her room, making pigs, playing in snow, finding out what makes a noise or making a birthday present.

My Thoughts

These are a fabulous series of books. I used to think it is was weird that they spelled Jillian with a J instead of a G (as my sister's names is Gillian). But, reading a bit more about the author I now know why. She was making a play off of the poem Gregory Griggs, and while she thought it would be fun to have it be Gillian Giggs she didn't want people to make the wrong G sound. She didn't want them to make the G of Gorilla instead of George. So she spelled them with Js.

The author writes in poems and it has such a nice rhythm. I know I have said it before but I am in awe of people who can write their stories using poetry. When a story can make sense and have all the building blocks of a story and it all rhymes! That is a miracle to me, and I enjoy it immensely.

I love the artwork, it is believable but engaging. They are colourful and fun. You could search them all day and still discover treasures hidden.

I love how the stories really capture the imagination that children have. I love how these are adventures that real kids could have in their real lives. Sometimes in books or kids shows the characters are 8 but they are so independent that they are doing things that no real 8 year old would do (I'm looking at you Arthur). With these books Jillian loses her mitts, I know lots of kids that that can happen to. Jillian tidies her room but manages to make it messier, my goodness that is my kids life! (I'm glad they play together, but it would be nice if it was them playing tidy up.) In a way, these books are truly timeless. Parents and kids could relate to them no matter what era they are living in.

I don't think I have a favourite. I do have a least favourite. But they are good and all are worth reading. I love how at the back she gives ideas for how to make pigs and a play to act out. That is super cool.

I highly recommend the world of Jillian Jiggs.