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Rad!
In this family-oriented picture book, one brave cat discovers how rad trying new things can be! Esther, Chester, Hester, and Sylvester are stoked to shred at the skate park! But unlike his daring brothers and sisters, Lester is a total fraidy-cat. Skateboarding doesn’t come easily to him—and with only nine lives to spare, why should he risk one on the half-pipe? When Lester sees how much fun his family is having, he decides to give it a shot anyway . . . only to wipe out! With the encouragement of his supportive siblings, Lester gets back up and tries again.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
7 people want to read
About the author
Anne Bustard
7 books77 followersBorn and raised in Hawaii, with a few years in California sandwiched in between, Anne Bustard moved to Texas to attend college and stayed. A former elementary school teacher and then bookseller, she co-owned Toad Hall Children's Bookstore in Austin, Texas. Her innovative summer writing program for children earned her the Lucile Micheels Pannell Award.
After selling her interest in the bookstore, Anne began teaching in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin. There she received a Texas Excellence Teaching Award for her work.
Anne's first children's book, T IS FOR TEXAS (Voyageur Press) has been a popular seller. She has also written numerous articles for the MAILBOX MAGAZINE group featuring classroom connections to children's literature.
BUDDY: THE STORY OF BUDDY HOLLY (A Paula Wiseman Book/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) is her most recent publication.
Anne presents at local, state and national conferences.
Today, Anne Bustard lives and writes in Austin, Texas.
After selling her interest in the bookstore, Anne began teaching in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin. There she received a Texas Excellence Teaching Award for her work.
Anne's first children's book, T IS FOR TEXAS (Voyageur Press) has been a popular seller. She has also written numerous articles for the MAILBOX MAGAZINE group featuring classroom connections to children's literature.
BUDDY: THE STORY OF BUDDY HOLLY (A Paula Wiseman Book/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) is her most recent publication.
Anne presents at local, state and national conferences.
Today, Anne Bustard lives and writes in Austin, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 25, 2020
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...
RAD! is a simple but colorful book about trying new things. The book follows five cats, Esther, Chester, Lester, Hester, and Sylvester. Each page features one word spoken by each that adds up to a brief story. Lester is afraid to skateboard with the others. After trying to convince him fails, they go to skateboard. Lester watches them and changes his mind. Even though he wipes out, he continues skateboarding until he too declares "Rad!"
What I loved: The text is rhythmic which can be fun, as it features a single word followed by says and one of the cat's names. There are bright colors on every page and definitely 90s vibes throughout. The simplicity will appeal to some readers, though the vernacular is a bit old, such as gnarly and righteous. I also appreciated that all the cats are wearing helmets.
What left me wanting more: The text will be too simple for some readers and the story happens behind the words, which may need to be explained to some children.
Final verdict: Bright colors make this a cute read for young readers who appreciate repetition and books with little text.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
RAD! is a simple but colorful book about trying new things. The book follows five cats, Esther, Chester, Lester, Hester, and Sylvester. Each page features one word spoken by each that adds up to a brief story. Lester is afraid to skateboard with the others. After trying to convince him fails, they go to skateboard. Lester watches them and changes his mind. Even though he wipes out, he continues skateboarding until he too declares "Rad!"
What I loved: The text is rhythmic which can be fun, as it features a single word followed by says and one of the cat's names. There are bright colors on every page and definitely 90s vibes throughout. The simplicity will appeal to some readers, though the vernacular is a bit old, such as gnarly and righteous. I also appreciated that all the cats are wearing helmets.
What left me wanting more: The text will be too simple for some readers and the story happens behind the words, which may need to be explained to some children.
Final verdict: Bright colors make this a cute read for young readers who appreciate repetition and books with little text.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
August 24, 2023
Trying new things, like skateboarding, can be fun.
Seriously, that's the moral of "Rad!" As if kids needed to be told this idea!
MY FIRST THOUGHT
Initially I thought this book was preaching to the choir. Akin to telling preschoolers: "Hey, you got toes."
ON REFLECTION
This book might help kids who like to play and skateboard etc. to consider reading a super-easy picture book. So the part of the story that's news... would be, "Hey, reading is fun."
HERE'S A TYPICAL SAMPLE OF THE DIALOG
TRY, says Esther.
PLEASE, says Chester.
FIVE STARS, then.
Seriously, that's the moral of "Rad!" As if kids needed to be told this idea!
MY FIRST THOUGHT
Initially I thought this book was preaching to the choir. Akin to telling preschoolers: "Hey, you got toes."
ON REFLECTION
This book might help kids who like to play and skateboard etc. to consider reading a super-easy picture book. So the part of the story that's news... would be, "Hey, reading is fun."
HERE'S A TYPICAL SAMPLE OF THE DIALOG
TRY, says Esther.
PLEASE, says Chester.
FIVE STARS, then.
March 14, 2020
Skateboarding feline siblings.
June 22, 2020
Cute!
July 23, 2020
Cute, simple picture book about overcoming fear. The ending made me laugh. Good use of uncommonly used words.
December 26, 2025
there are five cats with names that rhyme. they all skateboard except for Lester. All the other cats encourage him to try. Very simplistic text. The ending was funny.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews