Agnes and Clarabelle

by Adele Griffin

Best friends Agnes Pig and Clarabelle Chicken share their favorite activities for each season, from collecting hazelnuts in winter, to celebrating Clarabelle's birthday in spring, to spending a day at the beach in summer, to buying new sneakers in autumn.

Genres: Childrens, Animals, Chapter Books, Humor, Fiction, Fantasy, Picture Books

ebook

First published April 26, 2016

About the author

from Wikipedia:

Adele Griffin is the author of over thirty highly-acclaimed books across a variety of genres, including Sons of Liberty and Where I Want to Be, both National Book Award Finalists.

Her debut adult novel The Favor explores themes of friendship, surrogacy, and nontraditional family building.

Find her on TikTok at @adelegriffinbooks and Instagram at @adelegriffin or www.adelegriffin.


website: www.adelegriffin.com


Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/adelegriffi...

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adele-G...


Open Road Media interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSa3P...

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agnes and Clarabelle are best friends, and that means everything es better when they are together. This is the soul of this inspiring book. Many sweet stories talk about Agnes and Clarabelle friendship. A surprise party for Clarabelle, that Clarabelle helps to organize too. Agnes' fear of the beach, and how her friend is there to support her and accommodate the plan so everybody has a good time. Agnes' turn of being supportive comes when Clarabelle feels frightened of getting lost in a huge store. And what makes a perfect pizza? Is not the chestnut and chocolate chips toppings, but the joy of making it together.

This short novel for early readers is divide in four chapter/stories called after the seasons that can be read independently. Agnes and Clarabelle are lovely characters, and their stories will make you smile. They remind me in some way the old Little Bear books, where the focus is put on the good things we can do and experience together. Agnes and Clarabelle have this kids of purity and blessedness. The illustrations are gorgeous. Look at that cover! Colorful and uncomplicated. Bright and with texture. I felt like jumping into the book! Thankfully the stories are thoroughly illustrated. Wonderful option for reading aloud at bedtime, or for independent readers.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Find more children's book reviews in Reviews in Chalk

[jess ~has abandoned GR~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this installation, Clarabelle and Agnes celebrate together, solve problems together, and support one another in high-anxiety situations. This is a heartwarming tale of the compassion and kindness of true friendship -- highly recommended for early readers.

I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jtimko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agnes the pig and Clarabelle the chicken are best friends who do everything together. Read through the seasons as they celebrate Clarabelle’s birthday in the spring, go to the beach in the summer, buy new sneakers in the fall, and make a pizza in the winter.
This is one of a new series of books by Bloomsbury publishing aimed at emerging readers. This is a cute story that will entertain with ease of reading. Lovely illustrations and simple text will extend the reader’s ability while entertaining the reader. The friendship between the two characters will allow for a good discussion on acceptance. This would be a great addition to the easy reader section of the library. Recommended for grades 1 through 3.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why are a pig and a chicken the same size? Why are they a pig and a chicken in the first place? This story just didn’t work for me, though I appreciate the supportive friendship. It has short chapters and full color images on the very page. I prefer Wallace and Grace (they have owl-like characteristics so it makes sense for them to be owls) or Bradford Street Buddies.

[Jayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect first chapter book- it still has colorful pictures on each page, but is separated into four chapters (one for each season). Each chapter is about the length equivalent to an average picture book. Age wise- end of 2nd grade, beginning of 3rd for most kiddos.

Agnes and Clarabelle are best friends. They have some sort of adventure each season (adventure may not be the 'best' word- making a pizza is one chapter). They share excitement, responsibility, and help handle anxiety. A great representative of friendship and how not everyone is the same.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spring: It’s Clarabelle’s birthday and she and Agnes plan her surprise party.
Summer: Agnes’ parents want to go to the beach, but Agnes doesn’t like new places, so Clarabelle agrees to go with her. Through the journey to the beach, Clarabelle tries to alleviate Agnes’ anxiety.
Fall: Clarabelle needs new sneakers and wants to get a pair like Agnes’, so they go shopping together. But Clarabelle makes Agnes promise not to lose sight of her.
Winter: When it’s cold outside, it’s time for Agnes’ famous Piggy Chestnut Pizza Pie.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Agnes and Clarabelle are a pig and a chicken, and they are best friends. They go on random adventures together that never end quite how you think.
There are four unrelated stories featuring the friends. I find them confusing, because they are supposed to be “kids”, but their parents are never around. They go shopping together and use the stove and oven and knives. Very strange. But kids probably won’t care :)

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an early chapter book with three short chapters: Spring: Surprise party [it is Clarabelle's birthday and she helps Agnes plan a surprise party for herself]; Summer: beach day [Agnes has never been to the beach before and is scared, so Clarabelle offers to go with her]; Fall: new sneakers [Clarabelle needs new sneakers and Agnes takes her shopping, but Clarabelle gets lost.] Each story ends well. Great illustrations.

[Allison Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters are cute and the stories about friendship are nice. I wish some of the pages had more interesting illustrations. My boys (7 yo and 5 yo) thought the story wasn't that interesting. They especially didn't care for the last story in the collection, they couldn't understand why the girls would make this perfect pizza and then decide not to eat it.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cute early chapter book about two friends is very sweet. Each chapter is its own little story with adorable illustrations. The chapters really could have been fleshed out a little more to make their own books, but whatever--here you have abrupt endings instead.

[Damian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of course this is a young kids book but I didn’t find the characters compelling at all. A chicken and a pig are the main characters but their characteristics have nothing to do with chickens or pigs. And they are a bit lame.

[Holly Letson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not really a "surprise" party if the person you're "surprising" is helping you plan the party.

[amypete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute book to read with my 7 year-old. Love the illustrations particularly.

[Kristi Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute children’s chapter book about best of friends. Read it with my seven year old and we both loved it.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter books with vivid, fun pictures are hard to come by. This one has all of that plus it’s charming and captivates Zadie as well as Sylvie.

[Camie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. Cute pictures. 4 chapters about the 4 seasons.

[Emily Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the characters. You've got your classic whimsical worrier and your practical problem-solver. Not sure about the endings of some of the stories. The characters just give up on their original missions? But lovely illustration and book design.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure thermometer and sculpture are appropriate words for this age group (early chapter) but at least there were plots in each chapter. I hate early chapter books with no substance.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agnes and Clarabelle is a children's book written by Adele Griffin and Courtney Sheinmel with illustrations by Sara Palacios. It is currently scheduled for publication on January 17 2017. It is an advanced easy reader or easy chapter book, depending on how you categorize those transitional books that help bridge the gap for young readers.

Agnes the pig and Clarabelle the chicken are best friends through every season! Whether it's planning the perfect birthday party in the spring, spending a summer day at the beach, braving a big department store in the fall, or making the very best pizza in winter, they help each other through every up and down. For Agnes and Clarabelle, everything is better when they're together!

Agnes and Clarabelle is a charmingly illustrated set of stories about best friends Agnes and Clarabelle. They are friends that will do anything for each other and help each other face challenges and fears on a daily basis. I like that they how teamwork and understanding no matter what they face, and do not judge each other no matter how intense those fears might be, or how silly someone else might find them. They are a perfect pair, and that is my only sticking point. While I love that the stories clearly show a character with anxiety, and how the pair care for each other unconditionally, i thought the lack of any frustration or conflict was a little too perfect. Although, that could have been intentional.

Agnes and Clarabelle is a sweet book that can help start discussions on anxiety, tolerance, and acceptance. I think it will appeal to many, and can help foster empathy in some and the feeling of not being alone in others.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short chapter book follows best friends Agnes the pig and Clarabelle the chicken throughout the year. In the spring, the two of them plan a surprise birthday party for Clarabelle; in the summer, they confront Agnes's fear of the beach; in the fall, they survive a mishap at a store; and in the winter, it's time to make a special treat.
With cute characters, adorable illustrations, and funny stories, this is a great book for kids who are ready to move on from early readers.
I received a copy through Net Gallery. All opinions are my own.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
This is a cute little book with four short stories. The book is about Agnes and her friend Clarabelle and their adventurous. There are stories about spring, birthday parties, going to the beach and more. Great book for kids who aren't quite ready for chapter books.

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute new transitional reader series. The pig and chick characters (Agnes and Clarabelle) will appeal to younger readers. Each chapter contains a problem scenario that are relatable to children: fears, birthday party, new shoes, etc.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Franki Sibberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally in love with this new series!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

JEC Just OK the stories felt a bit slight with abrupt endings.

[Aliza Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable and clever new early chapter book series!

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am loving the Read and Bloom series from Bloomsbury! Agnes and Clarabella are a great addition.

Meet two friends who, just like Frog and Toad, have their differences, but through it all, it's their great friendship that keeps them together.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful friendship tale between carefree Agnes the pig and reticent Clarabelle the chicken. When problems arise the pair always support one another, Agnes found the seashore frightening so Clarabelle happily sat in the parking lot with her, instead of running into the waves. The four stories covering all of the seasons of the year are always surprising and refreshingly unconventional. For their winter pizza pie treat, Agnes makes Piggy Chestnut Pie with perfect chestnuts, white chocolate chips, popcorn, and lots and lots of yummy cheese. The colorful watercolor and colored pencil illustrations on each page, make the story spring alive. A perfect series for children ready to move out of "I Can Read" titles.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Agnes and Clarabelle” was adorable and relatable. I liked that real life situations, like being anxious about trying something new and outgrowing shoes, were included. It was fun!