| Title | : | Violet Mackerel's Possible Friend (Violet Mackerel #5) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1921977566 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781921977565 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 112 |
| Publication | : | First published February 1, 2013 |
| Awards | : | Children's Book Council of Australia Award Younger Readers (2014) |
Violet Mackerel's Possible Friend (Violet Mackerel #5) Reviews
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Violet Mackerel has just moved to her brand-new house following her mother’s marriage to Violet’s new stepfather, Vincent. Violet knows another little girl just her age lives on the other side of the backyard fence, and she develops the theory that exchanging a small token with the girl will turn her into a possible friend. The two girls exchange notes and tiny gifts through a hole in the fence, and shortly after, Violet and Rose have a playdate. While Violet’s family is more laidback and crafty, Rose has many expensive toys and a very neat bedroom. When Rose visits Violet at her house, will she still want to be friends?
In each volume, this series takes on the small moments of childhood and infuses them with meaning and value. On the surface, Violet Mackerel’s Possible Friend is a very basic story about two little girls from different families trying to make friends. In the sensitive and capable hands of author Anna Branford, however, the story becomes something more - a lovely meditation on the nature of friendship and the delicate dance we all do in order to grow closer to someone we admire. Every moment of the story highlights the fears and joys young children face when they meet their potential best friends. Whether the girls are playing in Rose’s dollhouse or comparing their costumes for Rose’s flower-themed birthday party, their actions show their desire to connect with one another, and Violet’s particular worries about being good enough to be Rose’s friend.
Early elementary schoolers in kindergarten and first grade are often just venturing outside of the family home to find out how things are done in other households and to make friends on their own without adult intervention. This book really emphasizes the importance of that experience and also treats it with the seriousness that children place on these early friendships. Friendship stories turn up again and again and most are very similar to one another. This one stands out because the author allows the story to develop slowly and quietly and does not introduce unnecessary conflict or drama. Rather, she gently leads the reader to conclude, as Violet does, that differences are okay, and that shyness around a new friend doesn’t last forever.
The writing in this book is simple, but beautiful. I love all the details of the flower-themed birthday party. I grew especially fond of the lone boy at the party who dresses as a cornflower, but refuses to wear his hat, so he spends the entire time looking like a gloomy stalk. This is a minor part of the story, but it was just so perfect, it really stuck with me. I also really love the gift that Violet gives Rose for her birthday, and that she is too shy to give it in front of everyone for fear that it will be outmatched by other, more expensive gifts. Anna Branford understands her audience so well that kids will feel right at home inside this book. -
I like this the most of the Violet Mackerel books so far. In this, there's deep insight into the heart of a little girl. It subtly explores that shadowed corner where insecurity and inadequacy lurk. Violet finds a knot in the fence and pokes it out accidentally. On discovering how neat and tidy it is, Violet starts to worry. She leaves a tiny gift in apology.
Rose responds and eventually invites her next door. Rose is all sparkle and shimmer (and I found it intriguing she is illustrated as Afro-American for the Aussie edition) and has a stunning dollhouse. All of Violet's insecurities come to the fore as she wonders whether or not she should attend Rose's 'Flower Party' and what she could possibly give the girl with everything. -
This precious little book perfectly encapsulates the anticipation, worry and joy of a young girl’s attempts to make friends with another girl who has a very different lifestyle.
Violet’s family isn’t poor (how could they be when they live in the same neighborhood as Rose’s?) but they have a decidedly ramshackle, do-it-yourself, makeshift atmosphere that is at odds with the store-bought, polished and pristine life that Rose seems to lead. The book negotiates us through Violet’s anxieties (whether Rose will judge her as not coming quite up to the mark) right up to the happy conclusion of being celebrated because of her differences.
Violet and Rose are two sides of the same coin—garrulous, curious, generous and kind. So we understand, as they come to know, just how they wind up as best friends. -
Oh so sweet. A little drawn-out, with a very simple plot of 'does my new neighbor *really* think I'm ok as a friend?" Not worth much unless read with the others, which are richer & more interesting, I think.
But then, maybe some children this age do fret about relatively simple things and do want to feel as if someone understands them. And Violet's supportive family does understand her!
Bonus for the descriptions of easy, low-cost crafty activities like the matchbox dresser, the flower costume, and the knothole note exchange. -
Book five in the charming warm series about Violet and this one involves friendship. A great subject to think about, I like the way the author has structured these books with big ideas too think through but executed in a warm and engaging manner. Another winner, and we can safely say roll on book #6!
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Charming, sweet, and wise. Another excellent book in this series. My daughter and I really enjoyed this one.
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The fifth instalment of the Violet Mackerel series is sweet and rich, lacking only subtlety to give it's formally well written style a broad appeal. Having just moved to a new house, Violet hopes to become friends with the girl next door. In imitation of her mother and stepfather's exchange of rings at their recent marriage (Violet's father had left before the series began and is not referred to in this book), Violet decides to offer a small gift to her potential friend. The neighbour, Rose, takes up the exchange and the friendly interactions begin.
While Violet's household is organically chaotic, Rose's is perfectly prim. Violet wears hand-me-downs held in by a peg; Rose has matching dresses, ribbons and shoes. Violet has a home-made doll's house in an old shoebox; Rose has a miniature mansion. Violet has home-made yoghurt for breakfast; Rose has custom-made cupcakes for her birthday. Yet it's refreshing that the enchantment is not only one-way, both girls are delighted with each other's things and share them openly. The climax comes when Violet feels ashamed of her hand-made present for Rose's extravagant birthday party and almost decides not to attend, but happily Rose is thrilled and Violet's worries disappear.
It is interesting that though Violet is living with a new step-father and must miss her own father, the tone of the story remains light and optimistic. Violet does worry a lot about small things (like having accidentally made a hole in the fence, or whether Rose will like her present) but is usually able to work through her dilemmas, often with the solid guidance of the kind Vincent or her mother.
www.GoodReadingGuide.com -
This is fifth in a series of delightful little books for younger readers. Violet is a gorgeous character who will find her way into your heart. In this story she moves to a new home with a rambling garden and a hole in the fence. It is through this hole that she communicates with Rose, a little girl next door. A friendship ensues but Violet is overwhelmed by Rose’s pristine house and garden and perfectly matching furniture and toys in her bedroom. Equally Rose is impressed with the home made yogurt, scrumptious freshly baked muffins and the knitted objects that her mother makes. Rose invites Violet to her birthday party, and initially embarrassed by her home made present and cobbled together outfit she relaxes and realises that Rose appreciates her for her very unique personality and quirky traits such as using a peg to make her skirt smaller at the waist. This is a beautiful story about the important things in life and that two friends do not have to be exactly the same in order to find special common ground.
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When Violet Mackerel's family moves, she's a bit anxious about making new friends, but she's also excited about exploring her new yard. After accidentally poking a hole in the fence between her home and the property next door, she places a note and a small gift there as an apology. The girl next door, Rose, is just as sweet and thoughtful as Violet, and they begin a possibly promising friendship. But Violet worries about the difference between her new friend's lifestyle and her own family's, and when she makes a special gift for Rose's birthday party, she is assailed by doubts that it will be good enough for her friend. It's impossible to resist Violet's charms and the book's wonderful life lessons about what matters most. I'm glad this Australian import has made its way to my hands, and I know third and fourth graders will enjoy reading it.
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Violet Mackerel’s Possible Friend by Anna Branford, illustrated by Sarah Davis – Realistic Fiction, 3rd grade and up – Took a risk with this book. Trying to expand my son’s horizons a little bit and read with him some books that fit more into the “girl” books category. Lovely story about a girl moving to a new place and learning how to make a new friend, learning to trust herself, and to stop worrying about what others think. This was a perfect joint read for us since we’re moving soon and there will be such big transitions.
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The sentence structure is more simple than the vocabulary, and I almost set this one aside. But the author did such a good job of making me care about Violet, I had to read on. This is a sweet story about budding friendship and how insecurities creep up when you so desperately want to fit in. The message that your best of friends will be the ones you can be "true" with is a valuable one for adults, as well.
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An endearing, truly realistic story. Violet and Rose are adorable but not teeth-achingly sweet, and the story is just the right size for the audience. Fans of Cynthia Rylant's Cobble Street Cousins and Sarah Pennypacker's Clementine will enjoy Violet's stories as well, and while the vocabulary may be a step above those titles, the illustrations and brevity of the chapters will ensure success. I'll definitely be adding this series to my K-5 library.
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I just can't say enough about these books. Perfect for the youngest chapter book readers, I absolutely love the title character, Violet. She is smart, curious, funny, and a well-developed character. She perfectly captures the wide range of emotions that young readers also experience. Written in the present tense, the books have forward motion and we just can't put them down.
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Like all Violet Mackerel books, this one is sweet, charming, and very understated, much like Violet herself. The books are quiet, not rowdy adventures, but they touch on very real problems that young children struggle with seriously. The characters are just as real as Ivy + Bean, though their language is far simpler.
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Quite a nice little children's story with a message. A message that applies to us grown ups too.... And that is how we make ourselves anxious - feeling we aren't good enough or don't measure up when facing up to someone who has so much more in the material sense.
We all sometimes forget.... it's not what we have - but who we are. -
I am quite sure that while Anna is writing for children, she is also penning a subtle message to the grown ups too. I hope they are listening.
Thank you Anna for another chance to slip into Violet's world of small things. -
violet's family moved to a new house. violet made a hole in the fence and wrote a note to her neighbor asking her come over. violet showed her neighbor around the house. the book talks about friendship.
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I most like the thoughts going through Violet's head. They seem realistic and show the many anxieties held by children of every age. In no way over the top, just a good story with good role models and a modern family. Gr.1-3.
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A sweet friendship story for newly independent readers
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Very clever first chapter book for young readers!
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I just love Violet Mackerel, that is all!
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A cute story about friendship. My 1-3 grade girls will like this book and probably others in the series. A good introduction to girls that are moving past picture books and into chapter books.
