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Harmony Humbolt: The Perfect Pets Queen
Follow a girl who learns that her special Perfect Pets collection is even more special when it's shared with friends.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2021
25 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Grodzicki
52 books34 followersJenna is the author of several fiction and nonfiction picture books for children. Some of her titles include Finn Finds a Friend (Clear Fork Publishing, 2017), I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures that Look Like Food (Millbrook Press, 2019), Harmony Humbolt: Perfect Pets Queen (Clear Fork Publishing, 2021), and Wild Style: Amazing Animal Adornments (Millbrook Press, 2020). She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two crazy awesome kids, a cat named Pixie, and dog named Ozzy. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Boston College and a Master’s in Education from the University of New England. She recently traded in her librarian hat to become a full time writer. At all hours of the day (and night) she can be found at her desk, drinking iced coffee and working on her next story.
Jenna is represented by Victoria Selvaggio of Storm Literary Agency.
Jenna is represented by Victoria Selvaggio of Storm Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 27, 2021
Harmony Humbolt: The Perfect Pets Queen, written by Jenna Grodzicki and illustrated by Mirka Hokkanen
The cover of this picture book instantly screams fun! Harmony looks like a strong independent and decisive young girl and her stuffed toys are full of character, cuteness and mischief too. It is easy to see why she loves her toys and how dedicated she is to them all from the outset. The first image instantly brought back a flood of memories for me too. Just like Harmony, I remember having a wild collection of stuffed toys on my bed every night as a young girl and my kids are exactly the same today. They are devoted to them, just like Harmony, and like most children, these toys play an important role in developing their creative thinking, empathy and sharing. The topic of Grodzicki’s book is spot on. Everything about this book is child centered and perfectly pitched to a picture book audience.
When Harmony is finally able to take her precious toys into school with her, I felt the pang of concern she felt over their wellbeing too, which testament to how well their characters relationship with her toys was expressed within the story. Grodzicki certainly has a way of tapping into our childhood pyschies and definitely takes the reader on a journey right alongside her main character.
Humour runs beautifully throughout this book too. As Harmony’s list builds, so does the tension, their reactions and the humor too. I couldn’t help but chuckle and fear the outcome. Grodzicki brings us to the low point with Harmony at the perfect moment and there is a wonderful page turn point when children are given a moment to reflect and think about what Harmony should do next. It’s a great teaching moment without any actual teaching – the very best kind!
A truly delightful book, perfect for little readers who love their toys as much as Harmony.
The cover of this picture book instantly screams fun! Harmony looks like a strong independent and decisive young girl and her stuffed toys are full of character, cuteness and mischief too. It is easy to see why she loves her toys and how dedicated she is to them all from the outset. The first image instantly brought back a flood of memories for me too. Just like Harmony, I remember having a wild collection of stuffed toys on my bed every night as a young girl and my kids are exactly the same today. They are devoted to them, just like Harmony, and like most children, these toys play an important role in developing their creative thinking, empathy and sharing. The topic of Grodzicki’s book is spot on. Everything about this book is child centered and perfectly pitched to a picture book audience.
When Harmony is finally able to take her precious toys into school with her, I felt the pang of concern she felt over their wellbeing too, which testament to how well their characters relationship with her toys was expressed within the story. Grodzicki certainly has a way of tapping into our childhood pyschies and definitely takes the reader on a journey right alongside her main character.
Humour runs beautifully throughout this book too. As Harmony’s list builds, so does the tension, their reactions and the humor too. I couldn’t help but chuckle and fear the outcome. Grodzicki brings us to the low point with Harmony at the perfect moment and there is a wonderful page turn point when children are given a moment to reflect and think about what Harmony should do next. It’s a great teaching moment without any actual teaching – the very best kind!
A truly delightful book, perfect for little readers who love their toys as much as Harmony.
July 6, 2021
When Harmony gets to share her perfect stuffed animal pets with her friends at recess, it doesn't go quite as she expects. Her friends want to squeeze, swing with, and actually PLAY with her pets. But this makes overprotective Harmony's stomach flutter. After all, her pets aren't meant to fly or be squeezed so hard they can't breathe, and they are definitely not supposed to have sticky fingers all over them! So Harmony makes rules. A few rules are fine, but when the number of rules outweighs the amount of fun, Harmony knows she has to do something.
The snappy writing and adorable art make this a book that children will want to read over and over. Grodizicki is skilled at sharing a "lesson" without it feeling like a lesson. This book is filled with heart and humor; a wonderful combination. As much as children will love this book, adults will also get a reminder of what's important in life. I highly recommend this book.
The snappy writing and adorable art make this a book that children will want to read over and over. Grodizicki is skilled at sharing a "lesson" without it feeling like a lesson. This book is filled with heart and humor; a wonderful combination. As much as children will love this book, adults will also get a reminder of what's important in life. I highly recommend this book.
July 15, 2021
Harmony Humbolt is a delightful character and so relatable to kids of all ages! Adorable Harmony loves her perfect pet collection. When she brings them to school, she creates rule after rule to keep them safe because they "mean everything" to her. But when her rules such as only three friends at a time, and no sticky fingers, annoy her friends, Harmony has to decide how to enjoy both her perfect pet collection and her friends. The brilliant illustrations complement the text and show lively home, school, and playground scenes. And themes of sharing, friendship, and letting go of strict rules make this a "perfect" story for home, school, and libraries.
November 9, 2021
Harmony Humbolt is an excellent story readers can relate to. When Harmony brings her beloved collection of stuffed animals to school, she struggles with the way her peers handle her perfect pets. She feels the solution is to create rules for how her school friends handle them, but after one rule too many she turns them all off. She is at a crossroads of wanting to enjoy her perfect pets as well as her friends. Readers will learn the great lessons of sharing, friendship, and when to let go with these adorable characters complemented by gorgeous and vibrant illustrations.
July 9, 2021
Like many kids, Harmony Humbolt loves her stuffed animals. But she doesn't love how the other kids are treating them at school. More and more rules follow until no one wants to play with the toys anymore. Harmony learns important lessons about sharing and that toys are meant to be played with. Delightfully illustrated, the charming artwork is reminiscent of Richard Scarry's. I received a free electronic version of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2021
Sweet Harmony loves her pet stuffed animals and really wants to share them with her friends at school, so she creates some rules. And then she adds some more. Then more rules! Well, her friends aren't into all those rules and rather not play with Harmony and her "pets". What a relatable book for young children who want to share their treasured toys and loveys, but also want to make sure nothing happens to them. Themes: sharing, friendship, compromise. And the illustrations are adorable!
December 14, 2021
Harmony is very nervous to let her classmates play with her plush pets, so she writes up some rules. When those rules aren't enough, she writes up some more rules and again until no one wants to hear her rules or play with her or her pets anymore!
Jenna Grodzicki's amusing text along with Mirka Hokkanen's playful illustrations present a charming story about friendship and sharing. Children will be amused to see what one rule Harmony finally gives that makes sure everyone has a great time!
Jenna Grodzicki's amusing text along with Mirka Hokkanen's playful illustrations present a charming story about friendship and sharing. Children will be amused to see what one rule Harmony finally gives that makes sure everyone has a great time!
July 6, 2021
Harmony Humbolt has a problem most children will relate too- leaving her perfect pets at home. With fun illustrations, Harmony navigates through the school day, problem-solving to find a solution and she finally learns to share. A fun story with a gentle lesson and an endearing and lovable character. I can see Harmony in a book series.
November 6, 2019
This book is very dear to my heart because it was inspired by my daughter.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews