Praise for Janine and the Field Day Finish
"With a heartening lesson about friendship, competition, and what constitutes winning, this encouraging picture book nicely demonstrates the value of confidence and generosity." -Booklist
"Her [Cocca-Leffler] colorful illustrations liven up this touching story of a child who does not fit in, but is self-assured enough not to worry about it. Readers will agree that this optimistic little girl has a mighty big heart." -Kirkus
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| Publishes Oct 2016 |
FULL REVIEWS:
Booklist:
Cocca-Leffler’s slouchy-socked, pigtailed character,
introduced in Janine (2015), brings her characteristic self-confidence and
enthusiasm to this follow-up title about field day. Janine knows she’s not as
fast as other kids, but she’s ready for field day anyway, from the froufrou
good-luck ribbons adorning her red sneakers to the kicky cheer she’s invented
to spur everyone on. Her classmate Abby, however, is not impressed: “You’re
going to need more than luck . . . because I’m going to win.” Abby’s strategy
for winning the race—shoving everyone out of her way—backfires when she trips
and ends up in last place with Janine, but, thanks to Janine’s good-natured
attitude, she’s eager to help in spite of Abby’s earlier comments, and together
they limp across the finish line. Cocca-Leffler’s expressive, colorful
illustrations capture Janine’s irrepressible spirit, and while she never names
her disability, she gently explains the ways Janine is a little different from
her classmates. With a heartening
lesson about friendship, competition, and what constitutes winning, this
encouraging picture book nicely demonstrates the value of confidence and
generosity.
Kirkus:
Young protagonist Janine excels in many ways—but not in sports.
Janine wants to participate in sports even though she has to wear glasses, is
uncoordinated, has an, um, interesting sense of sport attire, and has never
once made it around the track in PE class. Do these things get her down? No
way! Always positive and enthusiastic, Janine is determined to participate in
the upcoming field-day race. Snarky classmate Abby not only criticizes Janine's
choice of running clothes, but also brags that she will win the first-place
ribbon. When Abby encounters a problem during the race, Janine thinks outside
the box to help her and proves that kindness is more important than winning.
Prolific author/illustrator Cocca-Leffler gives readers this follow-up to
Janine (2015), basing the endearing character on her own daughter's experiences
and can-do attitude while growing up with disabilities. Her colorful
illustrations liven up this touching story of a child who does not fit in but
is self-assured enough not to worry about it. Both Janine and Abby appeared to
be white; their classmates are diverse in many ways, including a boy who zooms
along in a wheelchair. Readers will agree that this optimistic little girl has
a mighty big heart.
