Violet Mackerel's Personal Space

Violet Mackerel #4

by Anna Branford, Sarah Davis (Illustrator)

Violet Mackerel has some good news and some not-so-good news. The good news is about Mum and Vincent! The not-so-good news is that they have to move house. Violet is trying to be brave, but sometimes leaving your personal space can be tricky.


Fantastic website has downloads and extra info www.violetmackerel.com

Genres: Chapter Books, Childrens, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Family, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

I was born in 1975 on the Isle of Man and spent my childhood there, in Sudan, in Papua New Guinea and in Australia. I did lots of my daydreaming in planes, trains and boats including one boat that my dad made with a glass base so my little sister and I could see fish and coral going past underneath us. For a little while I had a mouse and the best present my mum and dad ever gave me (apart from my sister) was my own piano.

My favourite books were The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame and the Ramona stories by Beverly Cleary. Though I love returning to those stories (especially Wind in the Willows) these days my favourites are anything by bell hooks or Alain de Botton.

I live in Melbourne near a river, write books for children, make dolls, nests and the occasional skirt, go to lots of markets and have cups of tea with my friends. I have a special interest in helping people to find the kind of work that is right for them. I don’t spend quite as much time on planes, trains and boats as I used to, but I walk up and down mountains whenever I find a spare moment. And I still have that same piano.

Reviews

[Cadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I liked that they went to the beach on vacation. Her parents divorced and her mom married again. They moved to another house." -Cadee, age 8

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

How perfect that the mother (and boyfriend) announced the decision to the children, but let them adjust to it in their own way. And lucky Dylan, to have Violet for a little sister. I don't know if I approve of all of Violet's theories of small things, but they're certainly clever.

"The Theory of Leaving Small Things Behind." As in, you have to leave a beloved home, so hide a small thing like a sequin or tiddlywink tucked under the windowsill or wallpaper, and it'll be like an attachment point as if you're leaving just a bit of yourself behind, for stronger memories.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that has been on my to-read list all year, first came on my radar when a colleague told me at the beginning of the year of how she reads it with her 5 year old daughter. Last week our school librarian Mr H showed it to me with such effervescent praise for this little book and how it was so sad and how strongly he felt for the characters. I was curious. I haven’t read a lot of junior fiction books admittedly, but I’ve always had the impression they were pretty shallow and lacked a lot of depth and character development. So I took it home to read.

I am in love with this book!

It’s the fourth in the series and I need to, have to and want to go back and read the first three.

Violet is a delightful little character with an ever-thinking mind with great sensitivity to the feelings of others, something that I can relate to. The book is written so beautifully and in a thoughtful, understanding way of how children feel when change is happening in their lives. In this book we learn Violet’s Mum and her boyfriend Vincent are getting married and this means moving to a different house where there is more space. Violet’s older brother Dylan’s doesn’t handle this news well and while Violet wants to talk to him and care for him her Mum explains to her his need for personal space. Violet’s sensitivity to him not being okay is so sincere and heartfelt, it prompts readers to feel empathy for others through Violet’s sympathetic eyes. I felt drawn to the characters and felt for them as they handled accepting change, despite being good news, that can still be scary and not feeling okay when someone you love is not okay.

A book with sensitive issues which is handled so delicately with lovely black and white illustrations which add to the depth of a seemingly simple but meaningful plot.

Perfect for girls aged 5-10 – or even older! I’m a lot older than that and was moved and drawn in by this book and the characters.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is so lovely to find new small chapter books, just perfect for the children at my primary school. Violet Mackerel’s Personal Space is one of these. And what a sad-happy story. Violet’s mom has decided to remarry and the whole family will move. That’s two sad things for children to deal with but the author, Anna Branford, deals with the sad things in a way that will make the reader feel happy when she finishes the story. That’s so nice for children who have to deal with sad things every day.

[Sophia Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Violet Mackerel’s series because it is so heartwarming. It’s about a girl named Violet and her family moving. Her mother is divorced and her Mom just got married to a man named Vincent. Her brother Henry isn’t happy about the Move. So he leaves to go live in the tent of his father. Violet helps him realize even when you leave you always leave a little bit of you behind. Books can take you anywhere but this adventure was out of this world. My favorite character is Violet. What surprised me was how Henry reacted. What I would change to the ending is how she leaves behind a special shell.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second I've read, though it is maybe fourth in the series? I had no trouble jumping from 1 to four, except this is obviously a series where there are big changes in every book. Therefore, I recommend reading all the books in order. This one fleshed out the relationship between siblings a bit more and brought a major change to the mom's story arc. There was one tiny story thread that seemed like it might have been left unanswered, but I loved the consistency of character, the perfectly appropriate voice, and the engaging details. I especially love the continuing kindness among siblings even in the midst of conflict. I wish more books offered sibling solidarity as the norm.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving this series more and more. It is refreshing to read a book where the siblings actually care for each other. This book was definitely even more gentle than the others, without some of the subtle humor that can be found in some of the other books, but this one was very sweet. My daughter and I loved this one.

[Random side note: What on earth do the adults in this series do for a living? Mom knits, and Vincent is a former backpacker who sells glass birds? I have questions about how they're able to purchase this new house.]

[Margaret Chind · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first experience with Violet Mackerel, I came across Violet Mackerel's Personal Space when it was first released into my world of digital eARC books but it never crossed my read to be read and reviewed. It wasn't until Violet Mackerel and the Brilliant Plot but my wishlist that I stumbled back upon this little eARC. It was a short and sweet read covering a wealth of emotions in little people. In the end I think Violet is with a revisit.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some parts were nice because she got married and her dress was very pretty, and it had a train behind it. Some parts were sad because violet mackerel's brother would not come to the house. He would live in his tent. (L, aged 5)

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great lesson about life learnt here by Violet as she winds her way through all the evens in a charming way, winning you over with the warmth of the story and the engaging characters, particularly Violet herself. Another great read, the fourth in a very good series.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one even better than the other one I read! Violet is so cute with her theories of small things, and I loved her relationship with Dylan. I got a little teary eyed on moving day. Too sweet.

[Julia Wise]

Sweet depiction of a blended family that acknowledges children's mixed feelings about a stepparent.

[Gaele · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this illustrated and heartwarming story, Violet is faced with change. In her thoughtful and innocent way she theorizes that you can leave 'pieces' of yourself behind so you really aren't gone, if you leave a small token.

And the changes are coming fast and furiously: her mother is marrying her long term boyfriend, they will have to move house, her brother is unhappy at the idea of moving, and her sister is more excited about a new and bigger room. With reasonable and simple to follow examples and lots of warm fuzzies, this is a good introduction to the idea of big changes.

No one really adores change, and her brother is by far the most upset by the planned move, but when he locks himself in his room, or retreats to a tent in the backyard with the zip closed, it is his 'personal space' and they allow him the time to sort through his feelings. The concept of 'secret spaces' and understanding boundaries and limits are introduced in a way that is easy to understand. While Violet is forever trying to be the peacemaker and wanting to help, her cleverly written notes and illustrations are sweetly thoughtful, and a trait to admire.

I thoroughly enjoyed this little story, perfect for children ages 6 - 10, giving parents another way to introduce change and how the scary feelings don't always have to be so.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Edelweiss. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

In many respects, I thought this was the best book in the series but there were some private negatives for me, so rather than up my rating, I've taken it down.

Violet's mum is going to marry Vincent. Violet and Nicola are planning from the moment it's announced: paper cranes, hair sparkles, dress...

But their brother Dylan is upset. So upset he takes out his tent and parks it in the garden. He's not going to share the house with Vincent, even if they find a new and bigger one.

By now, you should expect that Violet, the queen of theories about small things, is also the arch-dispenser of warm fuzzies. And, as usual, this book has heaps. Throughout the series, I've found the heartwarming scenes by turns delightful and overdone. Dylan and Nicola are 'true', in the sense that they are complex and real. And up to now, Violet's mum has been admirable but she crossed a line somewhere in this book to admirable but false. Just too too too too unbelievably understanding. She's an alien, not a human being. That's the only explanation I can come up with for the way she behaves.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet Mackerel’s Personal Space by Anna Branford, illustrated by Elanna Allen – loved this little early chapter book just as much as the rest of this lovely series. Violet is a character that I just adore visiting with and seeing how she is doing. Finding personal space and the struggle of independence is an important topic. I feel that some children don’t get enough independent time and also enough special time to themselves. Violet’s big brother makes the choice to go stay in a tent to find his own space and his mom’s reaction to the situation is lovely. Sure, this is a book centered around Violet’s mom getting married to a man introduced in the first book, who feels like part of the family, and how the family has to move to a new house since they’re expanding in size, but Violet’s theories and reflections are perfect for her age but so wise simultaneously… Just love this series.

[Kathleen Vincenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book about Violet's family leaving their home for a new one with a new father. I liked that it showed a typical family today (the mother's boyfriend lives with the family and vacations with them) but is very understated. It isn't as though the author wants to show how au courant she is or topical, but just to show how kids live today. If you didn't approve of this arrangement, your child might not even notice it.

Also, the marriage ceremony was lovely, how each one in the family pitched in to make something. Again, not pointing out the poverty, but showing the beauty that comes despite it when you love each other. Really lovely.

I hadn't realized there were more Violet stories until I logged on to Goodreads and searched for this one. Now I know what I'll be reading next.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each of us must face change in our lives, and even when change might be good, it can still be unsettling. When Violet Mackerel's mother and her boyfriend Vincent decide to get married and find another house, Violet's brother Dylan is upset about the move. Violet finds solace in leaving a little something of significance in the house they leave behind. I really liked the positive message and the way each of the family members dealt with change in different ways. I was also touched by Violet's concern for her brother as he camped out in the yard even during a blustery storm. The pencil illustrations created with digital ink sparkle and show the various family members in all their uniqueness.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet early chapter book! I give it 5 stars because while it is written in simple language, the messages and heartfelt emotions within the story are so realistic and touching. I will be reading more Violet Mackerel books because they are rare.

Many early chapter books are cute/funny, but don't have alot of depth to them. This book stands out because while it's written for very young children, it has such powerful meaning. Long live Violet!

[Dimity Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating highly from my Miss 8. One of her favourites in the series thus far with a personal pointing out that Dylan stole the show for her because of the touching way he was 'nice' to Violet. A moving and joyful story of the next chapter of Violet Mackerel's young life. These books are impossible not to love and value.

[Marya · Rating 3 out of 5]

From a reading level, the Violet Mackerel books have plenty of pictures and a simple writing style that puts them in the same group as Ivy + Bean. They lack the laugh-out-loud humor and madcap adventure of Ivy + Bean, but they have a quiet, reflective, sweet charm of their own. In other words, these are the children's books that are more likely to make you cry. But just a little.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Violet Mackerel book. I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others I have read but it's still an awesome book. It would be a good book to help children cope with moving house and new family members. It's nice to see that there are still good books being written for children. The illustrations throughout the book are also amazing.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel and I read this together and we both enjoyed it. I had her rate the story with me. It is a chapter book that students who are moving into this type of book will be successful reading. Violet lives with her mom, sister, and brother. Her mom is going to get married and things are changing. Very realistic story with what happens to our characters.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are big changes coming in Violet's life. Her mom is marrying boyfriend Vincent and the family is moving to a new house. Not everyone is happy with the changes, though. It will take time and patience to mend the rift in this close-knit family. I really love this series. It is sweet and gentle, but so appealing.

[Shannon Tullamarine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh dear, that just made me cry... Perhaps because we are moving, maybe because I need to do some patch painting over a few growth lines on the wall, quite probably because Anna writes so beautifully and this time Violet's family, especially her big brother, touched my heart.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story perfect for the early chapter books. Love the theory of leaving small things behind something my daughter's friends do all the time at our house, I've always joked that it is. so they would need to return.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Violet's Mum is getting remarried and the house is simply not big enough for all. The family comes to terms with the move and finds ways to leave pieces of themselves behind so that they never forget where they came from.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cant believe that Vincent and Violets mom got married. Their house was to small for more people so they move to a different house. Dylan did not want to leave so he was a bit angry. I like this book alot.

[Karen Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This next book in the Violet Mackerel series is as delightful as the first three. The caring and thoughtful family dynamic exhibited in this story makes it a pleasure to read with my children. There is a tender juxtaposition of "personal space" and shared space. A wonderful read!

[Kaitlin]

this is the last book in a series of four. they are the most adorable books on earth and i love them! and they're perfect for kiddies ages six to ten.

[Nella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet's Mum and Vincent are going to marry; they need to find somewhere else to live. Joys and pains of moving, etc. Violet hasn't become saccharine sweet - a great read