Ginny Louise and the School Showdown

June 1, 2015
A classroom's three terrors don't know what's hit them when new student Ginny Louise arrives in town. Cap'n Catastrophe, Destructo Dude, and Make-My-Day May are a teacher's worst nightmare. Their naughtiness knows no bounds, and their classmates suffer the consequences-hysterically illustrated by Munsinger, who plays up the humor by putting the anthropomorphized animal trio in costumes and depicting the types of things that would make teachers run screaming from the school (and just may give readers some ideas of their own). Supersweet and cheery Ginny Louise does not improve their moods: "Yer sweetness makes me seasick!" growls Cap'n Catastrophe. May's threat is always a curt "Yer gonna pay," but Ginny Louise, who only hears what she wants, hears "stay" and "play" instead of "pay," declaring May her best friend ever. When May's finally had enough, she challenges Ginny to a showdown. Ginny's hoedown fiddle tune sings the praises of her new best friend, and just like that, the three change their ways. No matter whether Ginny Louise truly mishears May or is just putting her on, Sauer may just be onto something in the struggle against bullying. Never underestimate the power of good, especially when it's wrapped up in as sweet a package as Ginny Louise. (Picture book. 4-7)

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August 1, 2015

K-Gr 2-Every class has that handful of kids who can raise havoc in the classroom. In this story, it is the Truman Elementary Troublemakers-Destructo Dude, Cap'n Catastrophe, and Make-My-Day May. Similarly, every class has at least one student who is forever cheerful, oblivious to the bad attitudes that may surround her. Enter Ginny Louise. It doesn't take long for her inability to find fault in her classmates and her infectious cheeriness to change the attitudes of toughest bullies in school. Sauer, a former teacher and library media specialist, is no stranger to the school environment. Her experience has helped her to create a realistic story that will appeal to its intended audience. Advanced language will lead to discussion and help listeners expand their vocabulary. Additionally, the book is filled with metaphors, making it a perfect addition to not only a unit on bullying but an ELA unit on metaphors. Munsinger brings Sauer's vision to life with soft, realistic illustrations of animals, recognizable from her previous works, that are truly believable as elementary students. Readers and listeners alike will think this book is one hundred times more pleasant than "ticks in a taco." VERDICT A strong purchase for both school and public libraries.-Betsy Davison, Cortland Free Library, NY

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2015
Grades K-1 Truman Elementary is stuffed to the gills with troublemakers, led by the nefarious Make-My-Day May. But when jubilant, enthusiastic Ginny Louise shows up, things are about to change. Ginny Louise has come to school to learn and make friends, and she isn't going to let a little thing like hostility stop her. When Make-My-Day May growls, Yer gonna pay, Ginny Louise (who only ever heard what she wanted to ) reacts cheerfully, and when May demands a showdown, Ginny Louise turns it into a school-wide hoedown. This is a fun new take on the antibullying story, as Ginny Louise gets her way through optimism, kindness, and sheer stubbornness. The anthropomorphic animal charactersGinny Louise is a hedgehog, and May is a raccoonare reminiscent of Kevin Henkes' mouse books and Marc Brown's aardvark Arthur. Lively illustrations, the subtle western theme, and a positive message will have kids kicking up their heels in their own hoedowns: yippee-ki-yay!(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)