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Best Test
When Bird finds a ripe, red strawberry to peck, Frog wants it too, as well as little Shrew! They decide to organise an assault course to determine who will win the prized ripe fruit. Each of them choose different obstacles. But when Frog discovers he can’t fly like Bird, and Squirrel can’t colour in like Rat, who will win the race?
They soon realise being the BEST is not as simple as you’d think…
With playful rhyming throughout, this energetic picture book encourages children to think about valuing difference and working as a team.
From the dynamic team of Pippa Goodhart and Anna Doherty, Best Test is their exciting second instalment all about celebrating our unique talents.
They soon realise being the BEST is not as simple as you’d think…
With playful rhyming throughout, this energetic picture book encourages children to think about valuing difference and working as a team.
From the dynamic team of Pippa Goodhart and Anna Doherty, Best Test is their exciting second instalment all about celebrating our unique talents.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
16 people want to read
About the author
Pippa Goodhart
239 books35 followersPippa Goodhart is the author of over a hundred children’s books, including the prize-winning picture book You Choose, and the Winnie the Witch series which she writes under the pen name of Laura Owen. She trained as a teacher and worked for many years in bookselling before becoming a mother and a writer.
See Laura Owen
See Laura Owen
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 30, 2023
The animals find a delicious strawberry, but begin to quarrel over who will eat it. They put together a race to see who is the "best", and the winner will get the strawberry. They devise different obstacles and tests for the race. Frog wants a hopping obstacle. Mouse is good at coloring and wants a coloring test. They also have to guess what is in a mystery bag, and make the best funny face.
As they go through the different challenges, some of the animals struggle. But their friends stop to help them through each task. They all cross the finish line together, holding paws. They never do discover who is the "best", but they do become best friends!
This book is so adorable! I literally said, "Aaawwwww!" when I got to the part where the animals have a group hug at the end. It's just so cute!!
I love the beautiful illustrations! The artwork is fuzzy and soft with warm colors. I love the adorable designs for each of the animal characters.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
As they go through the different challenges, some of the animals struggle. But their friends stop to help them through each task. They all cross the finish line together, holding paws. They never do discover who is the "best", but they do become best friends!
This book is so adorable! I literally said, "Aaawwwww!" when I got to the part where the animals have a group hug at the end. It's just so cute!!
I love the beautiful illustrations! The artwork is fuzzy and soft with warm colors. I love the adorable designs for each of the animal characters.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
October 25, 2022
Cute story about sharing and appreciating what makes us unique.
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May 23, 2023See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/best-t...
BEST TEST is a story about friendship, sharing, and competition. When the animals find a strawberry, they all agree that whoever is the best should get to be the one to have it - but how do they determine the best? They come up with an obstacle course/race, which includes things like making funny faces and guessing what is in a bag. As they begin the race, some animals are having trouble with certain tasks, and they begin to help each other out, crossing the finish line at the same time and deciding to share the strawberry. However, they find that snail is eating it already, having taken the shortest path from start to finish of their race and declaring themselves the winner. Snail tells them that they found the best of friends in the race.
What I loved: The illustrations here were very cute with plenty of adorable forest animals. The images capture them well as well as their tasks along the way. There are some good lessons around helping others and kindness being more important than winning, and friendship being more valuable than claiming a prize.
What left me wanting more: As a small thing, the text could be confusing to find and read in places, as it was strategically placed on illustrations, so it was not always easy to locate or to read in order. The bigger issue/confusion was with the reason that snail won and gets the whole strawberry, which will be confusing to young readers and to caregivers who will be asked to explain. The lesson becomes a bit murky there, and I think it may have been better to show all the animals sharing after winning together. The story also felt a bit disjointed as the sentences and actions are not fully linked across pages.
Final verdict: Overall, BEST TEST is a picture book about friendship and competition that has some interesting thoughts around prioritizing helping others/kindness over winning. This will work well for preschool and elementary school aged readers.
BEST TEST is a story about friendship, sharing, and competition. When the animals find a strawberry, they all agree that whoever is the best should get to be the one to have it - but how do they determine the best? They come up with an obstacle course/race, which includes things like making funny faces and guessing what is in a bag. As they begin the race, some animals are having trouble with certain tasks, and they begin to help each other out, crossing the finish line at the same time and deciding to share the strawberry. However, they find that snail is eating it already, having taken the shortest path from start to finish of their race and declaring themselves the winner. Snail tells them that they found the best of friends in the race.
What I loved: The illustrations here were very cute with plenty of adorable forest animals. The images capture them well as well as their tasks along the way. There are some good lessons around helping others and kindness being more important than winning, and friendship being more valuable than claiming a prize.
What left me wanting more: As a small thing, the text could be confusing to find and read in places, as it was strategically placed on illustrations, so it was not always easy to locate or to read in order. The bigger issue/confusion was with the reason that snail won and gets the whole strawberry, which will be confusing to young readers and to caregivers who will be asked to explain. The lesson becomes a bit murky there, and I think it may have been better to show all the animals sharing after winning together. The story also felt a bit disjointed as the sentences and actions are not fully linked across pages.
Final verdict: Overall, BEST TEST is a picture book about friendship and competition that has some interesting thoughts around prioritizing helping others/kindness over winning. This will work well for preschool and elementary school aged readers.
April 30, 2023
Bird and Frog are delighted to find a delicious red strawberry when they're exploring. But it isn't clear who will get to eat that fruit since both of them claim to be "the best" at various activities and thus most deserving of the treat. After a bit of boasting and chest pounding, they are joined by other animals who stake their claim, including Shrew, Rat, Squirrel, and Mouse, who agree to hold a competition in order to determine who deserves that berry. The contest consists of the different activities at which each of them excels, and the friends end up helping each other instead of competing. In the end, they all learn something important about being the best and being friends. As it turns out, an unlikely contestant is the one who gets to nibble on that strawberry, but the others are all winners too. The double-page spread showing all the animals holding hands in a circle is my favorite one. Clearly, this picture book offers lessons about friendship, cooperation and being "the best" that parents, caregivers, and teachers can share with youngsters.
September 17, 2023
This picture book stars three characters, Frog and Bird and Shrew.
They have a problem to solve, a problem around deciding who gets to eat a large-and-luscious-looking strawberry.
Not for the first time when reading a picture book, I ask myself, "Where are the parents?"
Any adult could have been trusted to use a knife, cutting that strawberry into three fair pieces.
But noooooooooooo, these three have to find their own roundabout solution. Will that solution impress you?
Probably Yes
At least, yes... if you're among the intended readers of this picture book. In which case, you would believe this book deserves a rating of FIVE STARS.
I am not in that intended audience. Nor, in case any of you wonder about this next part: Nor am I believer in the idea that a person can have more than one BEST friend at a time.
But it takes all kinds to make a world of Goodreaders.
They have a problem to solve, a problem around deciding who gets to eat a large-and-luscious-looking strawberry.
Not for the first time when reading a picture book, I ask myself, "Where are the parents?"
Any adult could have been trusted to use a knife, cutting that strawberry into three fair pieces.
But noooooooooooo, these three have to find their own roundabout solution. Will that solution impress you?
Probably Yes
At least, yes... if you're among the intended readers of this picture book. In which case, you would believe this book deserves a rating of FIVE STARS.
I am not in that intended audience. Nor, in case any of you wonder about this next part: Nor am I believer in the idea that a person can have more than one BEST friend at a time.
But it takes all kinds to make a world of Goodreaders.
October 3, 2022
Bird finds a lovely juicy red strawberry and claims it as his own but.... Frog and Shrew want it too! They decide to organize a test to see who is the best and whoever wins gets the prize of that luscious, delicious, huge berry.
Other creatures join in the test each bringing their skills thinking they will be the winner. A surprise awaits as the animals cross the finish line and a lovely life lesson is learned for all involved!
This is a sweet book about sharing, competition, friendship and the true meaning of winning fairly.
The illustrations are colourful, full of action and the vocabulary is simple enough for beginning readers. The message is positive and encouraging and I highly recommend this book!
Other creatures join in the test each bringing their skills thinking they will be the winner. A surprise awaits as the animals cross the finish line and a lovely life lesson is learned for all involved!
This is a sweet book about sharing, competition, friendship and the true meaning of winning fairly.
The illustrations are colourful, full of action and the vocabulary is simple enough for beginning readers. The message is positive and encouraging and I highly recommend this book!
November 21, 2022
I received an electronic ARC from Tiny Owl Publishing through NetGalley.
The forest animals all see a delicious looking strawberry and can't decide who gets to eat it. They devise a race to see who is the best. At the end, they all finish together but are surprised by another animal who took a different route and was eating the strawberry.
I appreciate Goodhart emphasizing helping others and supporting each other as the best test. Each animal helps another along the race and figures out how to be a friend. The text is simple for elementary level readers to follow. A terrific read aloud for family or classes that will lead to dialogue on who made the best decisions. Lovely illustrations support the story.
The forest animals all see a delicious looking strawberry and can't decide who gets to eat it. They devise a race to see who is the best. At the end, they all finish together but are surprised by another animal who took a different route and was eating the strawberry.
I appreciate Goodhart emphasizing helping others and supporting each other as the best test. Each animal helps another along the race and figures out how to be a friend. The text is simple for elementary level readers to follow. A terrific read aloud for family or classes that will lead to dialogue on who made the best decisions. Lovely illustrations support the story.
February 8, 2023
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is Best Test by Pippa Goodhart and Anna Doherty, a sweet story of competition and friendship.
After finding a big, juicy strawberry, a group of animal friends argue over who should be the one to get it. And while the general consensus is that the fruit should go to the one who is “best,” the friends – Frog, Bird, Shrew, Rat, Mouse, and Squirrel – can’t agree on how to determine what makes someone “best.” Is it the biggest? The fastest? The best at making funny faces? The best at coloring inside the lines? The animals decide to conduct a Best Test, a race that will decide who deserves their sweet treat – and after some unexpected and heartwarming shenanigans, they may discover that being best is something that friends can share.
Absolutely adorable. With endearing text and darling illustrations, Goodhart and Doherty create a simple story of friendship that shows how kindness and support of those we care about always wins. While the animals may start out competitive, all of them are quick to let their better natures take over when their opponents start struggling, proving that winning is never gratifying if we are poor sports (or indeed, bad friends). The twist ending is a little bemusing, but not so much that it detracts from the main message or the delightful tone. The length is perfect for a storytime, and JJ loved the cute animals and their antics. Overall, a delightful little read, and we recommend it – Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to the Baby Bookworm by a representative of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
July 3, 2021
Part of Tiny Owl's 'Fair Shares' series, this picturebook introduces young readers to the idea around celebrate each other's uniqueness and the importance of teamwork. When Bird stumbles across a delicious strawberry they find that other friends of theirs would like it too. In order to see who should have it, a race is set to find out who is 'the best'. What starts out as a competition becomes a wonderful collaboration and the friends learn something valuable and companionship and working together. A lovely little picturebook that invites discussion around valuing one another.
October 15, 2022
Best Test
3 Stars
I absolutely loved the cute critter illustrations! To be honest, the adorable art style was my favorite part about this book. I really wanted to love this book, but it's just OK. I appreciate the lesson this story tells: sharing, comparing, and friendship requires compromise. I've just seen it executed better.
Thank you, NetGalley and Tiny Owl Publishing, for an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
3 Stars
I absolutely loved the cute critter illustrations! To be honest, the adorable art style was my favorite part about this book. I really wanted to love this book, but it's just OK. I appreciate the lesson this story tells: sharing, comparing, and friendship requires compromise. I've just seen it executed better.
Thank you, NetGalley and Tiny Owl Publishing, for an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 25, 2022
Tore on see, et tänu koostööle said loomakestest sõbrad. Küll aga võitis tigu kavalusega maasika endale :D
Kuidas siis ikkagi on, et kas selle maailma julged ja kavalad joovad ära kogu vee ning šampanja ka veel takka traavi?!? :D
Kuidas siis ikkagi on, et kas selle maailma julged ja kavalad joovad ära kogu vee ning šampanja ka veel takka traavi?!? :D
December 25, 2022
Parim saab auhinnaks maasika, aga kuidas teha kindlaks, kes on parim. Kuna igaühel on oma meetodid, siis igaüks on parim erinevates asjades ja see ongi aktsepteeritav. Ka võistlustel leitakse parimaid sõpru.
May 1, 2022
CT Story Time 30/04/22
A little tale about a group of small creatures who find a big strawberry and devise a test to see which of them was the best, and thus deserved to eat the strawberry.
A little tale about a group of small creatures who find a big strawberry and devise a test to see which of them was the best, and thus deserved to eat the strawberry.
July 20, 2022
All the animals want to eat the strawberry so they do a test to see who wins and gets the strawberry. In the end, the snail wins!
October 4, 2022
A group of critters start a race to see who can win the juicy strawberry. At first, each believed that he or she was the best. Later, they have realized that being the best is not easy.
Pippa Goodheart's amazing work reflects on accepting one's accepting uniqueness, and the importance of teamwork. In addition, Anna Doherty's lively and whimsical characters add desirable features for the story.
A wonderful social concept and an educational resource to be added in the classroom library. 4.8/5⭐
Pippa Goodheart's amazing work reflects on accepting one's accepting uniqueness, and the importance of teamwork. In addition, Anna Doherty's lively and whimsical characters add desirable features for the story.
A wonderful social concept and an educational resource to be added in the classroom library. 4.8/5⭐
Want to read
March 31, 2023Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 9, 2023
Best Test by Pippa Goodhart is such a cute story.
A story about different animals finding a strawberry and deciding to compete over who will get to eat it.
I loved the illustrations in this story. All the animals are adorable. The length was perfect for my littles, they were able to keep their attention of the story and not get too distracted. It opened the floor for discussion on how we all may perceive ourselves and others around us, about sharing and friendships. Great read.
A story about different animals finding a strawberry and deciding to compete over who will get to eat it.
I loved the illustrations in this story. All the animals are adorable. The length was perfect for my littles, they were able to keep their attention of the story and not get too distracted. It opened the floor for discussion on how we all may perceive ourselves and others around us, about sharing and friendships. Great read.
February 12, 2023
This picture book tells the story of a variety of animals who disagree over who should get to eat the delicious looking strawberry. I like the artwork and illustrations and the storyline is good. I am not a fan of the font. While it is generally a good size and colour, the way the letter g is formed is really not good, it looks like a pair of glasses flipped sideways. There are also a mixture of upper and lower case letters in some instances that is not a great model for beginning readers. Choosing the right book for a classroom or school library can be tough as budgets are very small and I couldn't purchase a book like this because of the fonts unfortunately. As far as for parents looking for a book to read with their children, this would be fine. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book.
January 25, 2023
When a plump, juicy strawberry is found, all the little forest friends would like to sink their teeth into it. It is decided that there will be a Best Test, and the winner gets the delicious prize. The animals do their best at coloring, guessing, and making faces (yes, it's a rather silly competition), but there can't be more than one winner . . . or can there?
This sweet and funny story is complimented by Anna Doherty's wonderful illustrations. Kids are gonna love this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tiny Owl Publishing for sharing.
This sweet and funny story is complimented by Anna Doherty's wonderful illustrations. Kids are gonna love this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tiny Owl Publishing for sharing.
December 2, 2022
A sweet picture book perfect for preschoolers!
The Best Test is a great story about figuring out what everyone is "best" at and then teaching your friends your skills. The illustrations are darling and it would be a great read aloud in a preschool classroom.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy!
The Best Test is a great story about figuring out what everyone is "best" at and then teaching your friends your skills. The illustrations are darling and it would be a great read aloud in a preschool classroom.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy!
January 29, 2023
Such a sweet, heartwarming and thoughtful story of competition and friendship! I particularly loved all the animal representation and that they each had opportunity to shine at what they do best. My little munchkin really enjoyed reading about the animals.
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February 1, 2023Such cute illustrations!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews