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Baby-Sitters Little Sister Graphic Novels #6
Karen's Birthday
Another graphic novel in this fun series spin-off of The Baby-sitters Club, featuring Kristy's little stepsister!
It’s Karen's birthday! She can’t wait for all those presents. Karen is even going to have two parties -- one at Daddy's house and one at Mommy's. But what Karen really wants for her birthday is one big party and to celebrate the special day with her whole family together. Will Karen's birthday wish come true?
It’s Karen's birthday! She can’t wait for all those presents. Karen is even going to have two parties -- one at Daddy's house and one at Mommy's. But what Karen really wants for her birthday is one big party and to celebrate the special day with her whole family together. Will Karen's birthday wish come true?
156 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2023
654 people are currently reading
1413 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
February 1, 2023
This one was pretty sad. I felt really bad for Karen through most of the book. Obviously things are ok by the end as with all the others. And everyone works out their differences and love overflows on the last page but it was sad watching Karen go through some of this stuff.
Love the introduction of Nannie. She and Seth seem like the only two who are kind and wise. Also I loved that Karen’s friend Hannie asked a boy to marry her. Lol. That part was hilariously adorable.
Love the introduction of Nannie. She and Seth seem like the only two who are kind and wise. Also I loved that Karen’s friend Hannie asked a boy to marry her. Lol. That part was hilariously adorable.
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October 9, 2025LAST BOOK OF 2024!!! 🥳🥳🥳
this is my absolute FAVORITE of the series, it’s ADORABLE
this is my absolute FAVORITE of the series, it’s ADORABLE
December 21, 2022
My parents have been divorced since I was seven, and though I never tried to get them back together or wished that they hadn't split up, it doesn't mean that I was never sad about it. For my sixteenth birthday, they threw me a surprise party, and the best part about that party was that both my families were there, having a good time. So reading this book - even though I have read the original hundreds of times over the last 30+ years - made me cry like a little baby. I feel like Karen's anguish, her hurt, was related so much better in the visual format of the graphic novel. My heart broke seeing that sweet little girl crying because she just wanted to see her mommy and daddy together again. It made her scheme seem less bratty and more from a place of longing. Katy Farina did a fantastic job adapting this one!
January 3, 2023
My favorite part about being a teacher is finding something that I loved as a kid that my students love just as much. These books are some of those things ❤️ my students are not as advanced as I was at reading when I was their age, so turning the Ann M. Martin series into graphic novels helps my students visualize the story as they read along! It’s helped some of my students become much more interested in reading, and I love talking about the books with them! Only 182 days until #7 comes out 😊
May 28, 2023
This one was actually kind of sad.
June 18, 2023
Karen tries to Parent Trap Watson and Lisa back together by acting greedy and she learns an important lesson.
More rat than Kristy in this one.
The original novel was written nearly forty years ago. Are circuses still this much of a thing?
More rat than Kristy in this one.
The original novel was written nearly forty years ago. Are circuses still this much of a thing?
June 6, 2023
My favourite of this series so far.
A great representation of the struggles of a young child with divorced parents / 2 families.
Even though when I was one, I was just happy to get 2x every celebration and 2x presents :P but the way the story was told really made me feel for Karen.
A great representation of the struggles of a young child with divorced parents / 2 families.
Even though when I was one, I was just happy to get 2x every celebration and 2x presents :P but the way the story was told really made me feel for Karen.
April 28, 2023
This is, by far, my favorite Baby-Sitters Little Sister Graphix series. It's about getting used to change, to understand that it's ok that things don't go your way, divorce is tough for children, and the "selfish" requests you might see children make are not necessarily because they are bad children.
There is so much innocence in this book where Karen wishes that her birth parents are married to each other again, but not knowing that they are already married to other people. She also doesn't understand that she cannot have one big party where everyone is gathered together, because both her parents have their own family. It is a shame that things didn't work out for her parents, and divorce really hurts the children the most; feeling (perhaps occasionally) that they do not belong in neither families and might feel like they are treated like objects where they are just thrown around like hot potatoes.
Eventually, Karen understands that things will not be the same and that there are things she will have to get used to. As much as she wishes, she understands that it is no longer possible.
What made me love this book so much is that it comforts children in their own level, to comfort those who do have divorced parents. To show that this is also a normal thing that happens in life and divorce shouldn't be a reason for you not to enjoy your life. Things will not be the same and/or will not be exactly how you want, but there are some things that are doable to a certain extent.
There is so much innocence in this book where Karen wishes that her birth parents are married to each other again, but not knowing that they are already married to other people. She also doesn't understand that she cannot have one big party where everyone is gathered together, because both her parents have their own family. It is a shame that things didn't work out for her parents, and divorce really hurts the children the most; feeling (perhaps occasionally) that they do not belong in neither families and might feel like they are treated like objects where they are just thrown around like hot potatoes.
Eventually, Karen understands that things will not be the same and that there are things she will have to get used to. As much as she wishes, she understands that it is no longer possible.
What made me love this book so much is that it comforts children in their own level, to comfort those who do have divorced parents. To show that this is also a normal thing that happens in life and divorce shouldn't be a reason for you not to enjoy your life. Things will not be the same and/or will not be exactly how you want, but there are some things that are doable to a certain extent.
January 30, 2023
4.5 stars
That was just so cute and would be relatable for many children in this situation. Karen was so cute and it was nice to see how it resolved.
That was just so cute and would be relatable for many children in this situation. Karen was so cute and it was nice to see how it resolved.
June 24, 2023
It was so cute in the end
June 3, 2025
This is the best version of Karen I’ve seen so far. All she wanted was for her family to come together as one, but her parents didn’t take time out to understand. Sometimes as parents we fail to listen to our children because they are young, but they are people with real feelings just like us.
August 18, 2025
This one is about the ways having divorced parents stresses Karen out and the childish ways she tries to deal with it. I was stressed by my parents divorce and my kids were stressed by their parents divorce so I was glad to see this.
June 22, 2023
I liked this one a lot better than many of the Karen books prior. Karen is learning how to communicate, which is hard for someone so young. This book did a good job of showing how low Karen felt at times with the dark edges.
September 28, 2024
So Karen’s turning seven and all she wants is a party with both her mom and dad there. Problem is, they’re divorced and remarried, so Karen gets it into her head to act up so they’ll have to talk to each other about her, and then they’ll fall back in love and get remarried. Which is pretty fucking stupid, considering they’re already remarried to other people and she likes both her new stepparents but whatever. So her mom suggests they have a fancy dinner at home and Karen’s like no I want to go to the circus, daddy can afford to take all of us, and her mom snaps “sorry I’m not as rich as Daddy” and kind of storms out. Bitch, that wasn’t the point!
So then Karen asks for two hundred presents (one of which is books, and not for nothing but if I was rich and my kid asked for books for her birthday that little ankle biter would have a goddamn library), and both parents are like “wtf” and call each other up to call her greedy and a brat. Seriously, the mom is like “what do you mean, I’m raising a brat??” Watson, with his giant mansion on the other side of town, is giving the mom shit for “raising a brat?” Why don’t you try being six years old and having your parents divorce and have to have two houses and two sets of friends and two sets of rules? Fucking asshole.
Then Karen finally talks to her grandmother, who’s like the only stable adult in her life, and tells her what’s up, so Gram talks to Watson and Lisa (Karen’s mom) and explains that their child isn’t a greedy brat, she’s just a sad little kid who just wants her goddamn parents to act civil to each other for a goddamn hour. Is that too much to ask? I mean you loved them enough at one point to have kids with them and now you can’t even act normal for a fucking hour? Maybe don’t have kids with assholes and then blame the kid for it???
Whew. Breathe. It’s okay. It’s okay. You’re an adult now.
So Karen has a fancy dinner at home with her mom and her new stepdad Seth and her little brother, and it’s lovely. Then the next day her dad takes her and like ten of her friends to the circus but won’t buy them popcorn or ice cream there. Then they get home and he gives her shit for asking for so much for her birthday. First of all all she wanted was to have her parents not act like assholes for an hour and second of all why are you giving a seven year old shit? “I’ve never seen anyone make such a big deal about their birthday!” Really? Really? You’re a fucking adult and you’ve never once encountered someone who plans elaborate parties, who refers to it as “my birthday week;” you’ve never worked in an office and seen someone get balloons delivered…fuck you, Watson.
Anyway the next day they have another family party and surprise surprise Lisa and Seth make a cameo and Karen’s happy and content.
Very cute book; I really hated the graphic novel concept when I first saw it but it’s actually cute as fuck. I used to really hate Karen too but now I just feel sorry for her.
So then Karen asks for two hundred presents (one of which is books, and not for nothing but if I was rich and my kid asked for books for her birthday that little ankle biter would have a goddamn library), and both parents are like “wtf” and call each other up to call her greedy and a brat. Seriously, the mom is like “what do you mean, I’m raising a brat??” Watson, with his giant mansion on the other side of town, is giving the mom shit for “raising a brat?” Why don’t you try being six years old and having your parents divorce and have to have two houses and two sets of friends and two sets of rules? Fucking asshole.
Then Karen finally talks to her grandmother, who’s like the only stable adult in her life, and tells her what’s up, so Gram talks to Watson and Lisa (Karen’s mom) and explains that their child isn’t a greedy brat, she’s just a sad little kid who just wants her goddamn parents to act civil to each other for a goddamn hour. Is that too much to ask? I mean you loved them enough at one point to have kids with them and now you can’t even act normal for a fucking hour? Maybe don’t have kids with assholes and then blame the kid for it???
Whew. Breathe. It’s okay. It’s okay. You’re an adult now.
So Karen has a fancy dinner at home with her mom and her new stepdad Seth and her little brother, and it’s lovely. Then the next day her dad takes her and like ten of her friends to the circus but won’t buy them popcorn or ice cream there. Then they get home and he gives her shit for asking for so much for her birthday. First of all all she wanted was to have her parents not act like assholes for an hour and second of all why are you giving a seven year old shit? “I’ve never seen anyone make such a big deal about their birthday!” Really? Really? You’re a fucking adult and you’ve never once encountered someone who plans elaborate parties, who refers to it as “my birthday week;” you’ve never worked in an office and seen someone get balloons delivered…fuck you, Watson.
Anyway the next day they have another family party and surprise surprise Lisa and Seth make a cameo and Karen’s happy and content.
Very cute book; I really hated the graphic novel concept when I first saw it but it’s actually cute as fuck. I used to really hate Karen too but now I just feel sorry for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2025
i really don't get why everyone thought she was a big brat for wanting her two families together on her birthday. i mean, do they really hate each other THAT much that they can't get together for one day on their kids birthday because that's how she wants to celebrate?!
and then at the end, they are like, "lets be freinds" when before they couln't but aside their differences for like three hours. it just dos'nt make sense!
but other than that it was fine
and then at the end, they are like, "lets be freinds" when before they couln't but aside their differences for like three hours. it just dos'nt make sense!
but other than that it was fine
May 15, 2023
I do find that Karen can often be very annoying and spoiled, but in this book, I felt for her. She's a little girl whose parents have split up and remarried, and all she really wants is for her two families to come together on her special day to celebrate. While she goes about bringing everyone together in probably the wrong ways, she genuinely tries and tries because of what happened to her that was pretty traumatic for any child. I found her parents on both sides to be really not understanding of their daughter. When she expresses an interest in having them all come together, the parents react without really taking the time to explain why it's not possible. And then when she creates situations to try and force things, she gets accused of being greedy and spoiled. And while I'd say she's pretty bratty in the other books, in this instance, not so sure. She's a little kid. She can ask for the moon but you don't have to give it to her. So, if she wants to create a list of 200 items, choose some. They aren't going to get everything.
All in all, a bit of a ride but a good story and some great lessons. I feel like parents could learn from this book almost more than the kids reading it.
All in all, a bit of a ride but a good story and some great lessons. I feel like parents could learn from this book almost more than the kids reading it.
November 14, 2025
I thought this was going to be my first time reading this…. But only a few pages in, I realized that I had indeed read this once before— so I kind of remembered everything already while reading through it, haha. Still, it’s time to give this one a fair review…. And to sum it up, this book was cute… but it frustrated me.
The story opens with Karen and Andrew watching the circus on TV. Andrew is slightly down, complaining that he’s never been to one before. Karen brags that she’s been before, since of course, she is very grown-up. Just then, she gets a convenient phone call from her father, offering a very special trip for her upcoming birthday… a circus visit!!! Not sure how to respond, Karen just tells him that she hasn’t thought about her birthday much… and returning to her room, admits it was a lie.
She has been thinking it over, and as she is a two-two, things like this can be difficult. She remembers a recent time, where after a school field trip, neither her mother or father were waiting to pick her up… and it was scary being left all alone. That’s why, this year, she wants everyone to be together… in one big party.
Her mom then comes in, wanting to discuss her party with her. Karen brightens up, hoping het mother will understand. But…
She doesn’t.
Instead, she suggests a grown up dinner party at home. Karen tries to ask if her mom and Seth can just come to the circus with them, as she’s sure her father can pay. Her mother replies her swiping her hand away, telling Karen she can’t afford as nice of a party as her father, glaring at her child. Like… REALLY??? Your daughter is 6 !! I hated this. She just leaves her child in tears, making no effort to understand her.
At her father’s house, Karen is soon wrapped up into her best friend Hannie’s plan to make her neighbor, Scott, marry her. This was cute and silly. While discussing Hannie’s plan, Karen also comes up with one of her own. The only way to fix this issue is to make her parents fall in love again… and the first step to that is making them talk! So, deciding that then being angry at her is worth it, she writes a birthday list with 212 items on it. Although her plan does get her fatter to call her mother, it’s not quite how she hoped… as they are really just yelling at each other.
When Karen gets hurt on the playground she needs a doctor to look at her, the nurse calls her mother… while Karen purposely calls her father. Again, that only causes them to fight… but she doesn’t want to give up yet!! Hannie has been planning her wedding based on photos from HER parents, which gives Karen an idea… if she finds her mom’s old wedding album, maybe she’ll decide to marry her ex-husband again!
But in reality, it only makes her new husband Seth upset, having no clue why it’s there. Her mother questions Karen, and although Karen admits to have put it there, she doesn’t know how to explain why. Her mom is very upset with her again, but again, I kind of just think she was acting very mean. But…. Moving on,
Karen then decides to write her OWN invites to the party, planning it just the way she wanted it- the circus and a dinner at daddy’s. Again, this makes her father call her mother… but this makes them fight worse than ever. Sitting on the couch, Karen hears the insults, mixed with her own narration. It’s hard to explain, but I liked the scene. And when Karen calls Kristy, even SHE doesn’t understand… (which was out of character, I didn’t like this.)
After that, nothing will go right. Karen’s big house family teases her for being greedy, and Hannie’s heart is broken, because Scott said they were too young g to get married. Finally, unable to take it anymore, Karen talks to Nannie….
And explains everything, just the truth and nothing else. Nannie is kind and understanding, and supports Karen in her new quest…
Which is Karen telling her mother that she would love a grown-up party at home!! Her mom and Seth are proud of her, which was nice to see, but I still felt annoyed at them from before. But then Karen sneaks to see what her presents are… and I felt upset with her. Why can’t she behave right?
Overall, my feelings are hard to pinpoint! On one hand, the story is cute, it has a good message, and Karen acts *less* bratty than usual, since her behavior is easy to explain. But her mom acted SO horrible, like your child is literally 6…. She disappointed me. Still, the book was alright, and I think it was worth the read.
( This book contains some mild bratty behavior (mostly explained) a wedding photo with a kiss, and some childish romance. I would give this book an age rating of all-ages!)
The story opens with Karen and Andrew watching the circus on TV. Andrew is slightly down, complaining that he’s never been to one before. Karen brags that she’s been before, since of course, she is very grown-up. Just then, she gets a convenient phone call from her father, offering a very special trip for her upcoming birthday… a circus visit!!! Not sure how to respond, Karen just tells him that she hasn’t thought about her birthday much… and returning to her room, admits it was a lie.
She has been thinking it over, and as she is a two-two, things like this can be difficult. She remembers a recent time, where after a school field trip, neither her mother or father were waiting to pick her up… and it was scary being left all alone. That’s why, this year, she wants everyone to be together… in one big party.
Her mom then comes in, wanting to discuss her party with her. Karen brightens up, hoping het mother will understand. But…
She doesn’t.
Instead, she suggests a grown up dinner party at home. Karen tries to ask if her mom and Seth can just come to the circus with them, as she’s sure her father can pay. Her mother replies her swiping her hand away, telling Karen she can’t afford as nice of a party as her father, glaring at her child. Like… REALLY??? Your daughter is 6 !! I hated this. She just leaves her child in tears, making no effort to understand her.
At her father’s house, Karen is soon wrapped up into her best friend Hannie’s plan to make her neighbor, Scott, marry her. This was cute and silly. While discussing Hannie’s plan, Karen also comes up with one of her own. The only way to fix this issue is to make her parents fall in love again… and the first step to that is making them talk! So, deciding that then being angry at her is worth it, she writes a birthday list with 212 items on it. Although her plan does get her fatter to call her mother, it’s not quite how she hoped… as they are really just yelling at each other.
When Karen gets hurt on the playground she needs a doctor to look at her, the nurse calls her mother… while Karen purposely calls her father. Again, that only causes them to fight… but she doesn’t want to give up yet!! Hannie has been planning her wedding based on photos from HER parents, which gives Karen an idea… if she finds her mom’s old wedding album, maybe she’ll decide to marry her ex-husband again!
But in reality, it only makes her new husband Seth upset, having no clue why it’s there. Her mother questions Karen, and although Karen admits to have put it there, she doesn’t know how to explain why. Her mom is very upset with her again, but again, I kind of just think she was acting very mean. But…. Moving on,
Karen then decides to write her OWN invites to the party, planning it just the way she wanted it- the circus and a dinner at daddy’s. Again, this makes her father call her mother… but this makes them fight worse than ever. Sitting on the couch, Karen hears the insults, mixed with her own narration. It’s hard to explain, but I liked the scene. And when Karen calls Kristy, even SHE doesn’t understand… (which was out of character, I didn’t like this.)
After that, nothing will go right. Karen’s big house family teases her for being greedy, and Hannie’s heart is broken, because Scott said they were too young g to get married. Finally, unable to take it anymore, Karen talks to Nannie….
And explains everything, just the truth and nothing else. Nannie is kind and understanding, and supports Karen in her new quest…
Which is Karen telling her mother that she would love a grown-up party at home!! Her mom and Seth are proud of her, which was nice to see, but I still felt annoyed at them from before. But then Karen sneaks to see what her presents are… and I felt upset with her. Why can’t she behave right?
Overall, my feelings are hard to pinpoint! On one hand, the story is cute, it has a good message, and Karen acts *less* bratty than usual, since her behavior is easy to explain. But her mom acted SO horrible, like your child is literally 6…. She disappointed me. Still, the book was alright, and I think it was worth the read.
( This book contains some mild bratty behavior (mostly explained) a wedding photo with a kiss, and some childish romance. I would give this book an age rating of all-ages!)
March 3, 2023
I didn't realize how closely I would be reading the graphic novel adaptation after listening to the original book, so this was extremely repetitive for me.
I still love the way the author draws Karen, and I thought her inner thoughts about why her family can't be in one room FOR HER BIRTHDAY was handled really well.
Even though the story itself still gets 3 stars, I LOVE the way these are drawn, so it's 4 for the graphic novel adaptation only.
Side note: I didn't realize until I saw Emily Jr. and heard the name story that they skipped the "Karen's Little Sister" book. I wonder why?
I still love the way the author draws Karen, and I thought her inner thoughts about why her family can't be in one room FOR HER BIRTHDAY was handled really well.
Even though the story itself still gets 3 stars, I LOVE the way these are drawn, so it's 4 for the graphic novel adaptation only.
Side note: I didn't realize until I saw Emily Jr. and heard the name story that they skipped the "Karen's Little Sister" book. I wonder why?
April 28, 2024
Divorce. It’s ugly and it affects more than the couple involved. Karen’s childhood perspective shines a light on this. While the conclusion is a “happy ending”, it’s still second best to the way things were supposed to be. I’m thankful this pain can be brought to light in a format accessible for kids who can’t otherwise articulate it. But it still hurts to hear how otherwise amicable marriages fail.
January 9, 2023
4.5 stars recomend it really good!
February 16, 2023
great!
Such a good book of representation! I would love to have this book in my class room to help kids know they aren’t alone and those thoughts are normal:)
Such a good book of representation! I would love to have this book in my class room to help kids know they aren’t alone and those thoughts are normal:)
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November 12, 2023Lydia read this graphic novel and really liked this book and likes this series.
And Logan and Layla also read this graphic novel and enjoy reading this series.
And Logan and Layla also read this graphic novel and enjoy reading this series.
June 23, 2023
Omg i am crying
February 20, 2024
5 star. I liked it because she had a birthday with both of her families.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2024
Pretty good story.
September 6, 2024
I'm so happy for Karen ♡
October 16, 2024
My sister LOVES this series! Definitely recommend
March 26, 2025
Omg everything that happened in here, it’s a bit sad for Karen, but I’m glad she could talk about her feelings to make her parents understand, the ending is so nice:’)
May 19, 2023
How dare you make me feel bad for Karen Brewer, book? HOW. DARE. YOU.
Seriously though, Karen's never been my favorite character, but kid!me really liked the original illustrations for her series (even though I was too old for them even then) and I admit that she and I would've totally bonded over the witch love. But as an adult, there's a reason a good chunk of the fandom can agree on one thing, and that thing is Karen is kind of the worst.
That being said? She's not in this one. She's a little kid whose parents are divorced and are at that stage where they don't talk to one another so much as snipe at each other when things go south as they're bound to do when you've got two very young kids. But Karen's only six (soon to be a permanent seven) and as advanced as she is, she can't articulate everything perfectly. So her simple wish to have both sides of her family (big house and little house) together on her birthday is seen as selfish. To be fair, I've never really been clear on why that is. Is it just that originally Watson was going to take Karen, Hannie, and Nancy, so swapping those two out for the entire Brewer-Thomas-whatever Seth's last name is- clan would be infinitely more expensive? Because, Watson? Dude? You're a millionaire. You can literally afford it.
It's weird because Karen specifically says she wants her family to go instead of her friends. I'm guessing it's the fancy dinner part she adds after, casually volunteering her mother to cook said feast, that might be the real issue, but still.
I really felt bad for Karen each time she tries to explain what she wants but it gets tangled up and everyone gets mad at her. Honestly, most of Karen's family in this book suck. Seth, Andrew, and Nannie are the exceptions and Elizabeth doesn't really do anything at all, so maybe I'll exclude her, too. But normally Kristy listens to Karen long after everyone else does, but she's just as quick to get mad at Karen after the initial circus fiasco so... boo and bullfrogs indeed.
Seriously though, Karen's never been my favorite character, but kid!me really liked the original illustrations for her series (even though I was too old for them even then) and I admit that she and I would've totally bonded over the witch love. But as an adult, there's a reason a good chunk of the fandom can agree on one thing, and that thing is Karen is kind of the worst.
That being said? She's not in this one. She's a little kid whose parents are divorced and are at that stage where they don't talk to one another so much as snipe at each other when things go south as they're bound to do when you've got two very young kids. But Karen's only six (soon to be a permanent seven) and as advanced as she is, she can't articulate everything perfectly. So her simple wish to have both sides of her family (big house and little house) together on her birthday is seen as selfish. To be fair, I've never really been clear on why that is. Is it just that originally Watson was going to take Karen, Hannie, and Nancy, so swapping those two out for the entire Brewer-Thomas-whatever Seth's last name is- clan would be infinitely more expensive? Because, Watson? Dude? You're a millionaire. You can literally afford it.
It's weird because Karen specifically says she wants her family to go instead of her friends. I'm guessing it's the fancy dinner part she adds after, casually volunteering her mother to cook said feast, that might be the real issue, but still.
I really felt bad for Karen each time she tries to explain what she wants but it gets tangled up and everyone gets mad at her. Honestly, most of Karen's family in this book suck. Seth, Andrew, and Nannie are the exceptions and Elizabeth doesn't really do anything at all, so maybe I'll exclude her, too. But normally Kristy listens to Karen long after everyone else does, but she's just as quick to get mad at Karen after the initial circus fiasco so... boo and bullfrogs indeed.
April 5, 2023
I read the Baby Sitters' Little Sister series as a kid and I love these graphic novel adaptations. This particular title, though, especially moved me (i.e. I was on the verge of tears). The author/illustrator does a fabulous job of translating a difficult and emotional issue into a story that is accessible to young ages. The simple text together with the beautiful use of colors and imagery (ex. tears welling up in Karen's eyes, the black cloud that's encompassing her in her sadness) drives home the realization of what divorce can be like for some children.
Karen is also a very relatable character: in one moment joyful, innocent, and thrilled about her birthday, and in another moment caught up in depths of sadness because no one truly understands what she really wants and how this desire is motivating her "bad behavior". I was really moved by how artfully and realistically the author/illustrator portrays Karen's reasons for her "bad behavior" (to get her parents to talk to each other about her, in the hope that they will get married again) so that both kids and adults can understand what might motivate a child to act out. The story does resolve itself and things settle in a realistic way.
I think this book would be great not only for recreational reading but also as a tool to help kids through difficult times.
Karen is also a very relatable character: in one moment joyful, innocent, and thrilled about her birthday, and in another moment caught up in depths of sadness because no one truly understands what she really wants and how this desire is motivating her "bad behavior". I was really moved by how artfully and realistically the author/illustrator portrays Karen's reasons for her "bad behavior" (to get her parents to talk to each other about her, in the hope that they will get married again) so that both kids and adults can understand what might motivate a child to act out. The story does resolve itself and things settle in a realistic way.
I think this book would be great not only for recreational reading but also as a tool to help kids through difficult times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews