Ella May Does it Her Way! by Mick Jackson - OPTIONAL

Ella May Does it Her Way! by Mick Jackson, illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier. PICTURE BOOK. Words & Pictures (Quarto), 2019. $18. 9781786039057

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In an effort to get her daughter to eat a new food, Ella May’s mom tells her it is good to try new things. Ella May runs with this idea and decides to try walking backward. Before long, walking backward catches on with other people and Ella May switches to cartwheels instead of walking. 

I am usually on board with books about doing your own thing and owning it, but this one just didn’t feel very relatable or interesting. This reminded me of the book Stephanie’s Ponytail, but without the humor. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher