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Book Buddies #3
Book Buddies: Dazzle Makes a Wish
Will lonely Maya’s wish for a friend come true when she borrows Dazzle, a toy unicorn, from the library? What about Dazzle’s wish for a place to belong? The heartwarming series continues with a third adventure.
Dazzle is a snow-white unicorn with a twisty horn, a sparkly pink tail, and a tag that says unicorns can grant wishes. He isn’t sure whether he can make a wish for himself, but he does so anyway, hoping for a child and a home of his own. Instead, Dazzle gets sold at a yard sale and becomes one of the Book Buddies, friendly toys that children can check out of the library just like books. Meanwhile, Maya has just moved to town and decides to borrow Dazzle, hoping he can grant her a wish for a new friend. But when a girl named Isabelle comes over for a playdate that doesn’t go as well as Maya had expected, she’s worried that they won’t become friends after all. Maybe Dazzle and Maya can help each other make their wishes come true? With a gentle tale of empathy and growth, Newbery Honor winner Cynthia Lord and celebrated artist Stephanie Graegin offer another endearing story in the Book Buddies series.
Dazzle is a snow-white unicorn with a twisty horn, a sparkly pink tail, and a tag that says unicorns can grant wishes. He isn’t sure whether he can make a wish for himself, but he does so anyway, hoping for a child and a home of his own. Instead, Dazzle gets sold at a yard sale and becomes one of the Book Buddies, friendly toys that children can check out of the library just like books. Meanwhile, Maya has just moved to town and decides to borrow Dazzle, hoping he can grant her a wish for a new friend. But when a girl named Isabelle comes over for a playdate that doesn’t go as well as Maya had expected, she’s worried that they won’t become friends after all. Maybe Dazzle and Maya can help each other make their wishes come true? With a gentle tale of empathy and growth, Newbery Honor winner Cynthia Lord and celebrated artist Stephanie Graegin offer another endearing story in the Book Buddies series.
80 pages, Paperback
Published March 21, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 2, 2023
Dazzle the Unicorn has always wished for a home of his own, a place to belong with a family. However, he is a library toy, and different children check out toys from the library every week. He doesn't really belong to anyone. But when Dazzle visits Maya's house, he discovers that maybe he belongs to a special family after all.
Maya has just moved into this new town, and everything feels strange and different. She has trouble making friends with new children who play too rough with her toys. Maya and her brother have to stand up for themselves to earn the respect of their new friend and learn to play together in a way that makes everyone happy.
This story has many positive messages woven into the narrative, but it never feels preachy or boring. The themes include being honest, accepting others, and being true to yourself.
The illustrations are so beautiful! I love the soft pencil art style and all the cute character designs.
This story gave me warm fuzzy feelings in my heart. What a delight! This book would be perfect for ages 7-10.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Maya has just moved into this new town, and everything feels strange and different. She has trouble making friends with new children who play too rough with her toys. Maya and her brother have to stand up for themselves to earn the respect of their new friend and learn to play together in a way that makes everyone happy.
This story has many positive messages woven into the narrative, but it never feels preachy or boring. The themes include being honest, accepting others, and being true to yourself.
The illustrations are so beautiful! I love the soft pencil art style and all the cute character designs.
This story gave me warm fuzzy feelings in my heart. What a delight! This book would be perfect for ages 7-10.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
July 28, 2023
Great series for your early chapter book readers!!
December 21, 2023
Book buddies are animals at the library that can be checked out by kids and be read to. Dazzle is a unicorn who never got to be played with and dreamed of being loved. Maya and Mateo are new kids in the neighborhood and they decide to check Dazzle out.
This was a really cute story about being loved, friendships, and libraries. I loved this story and thought it was such a cute idea. The perspective changed between Dazzle's POV and Maya's which was done well because that can get confusing, especially with early readers. Overall, this was a cute story and I look forward to reading more of the series.
This was a really cute story about being loved, friendships, and libraries. I loved this story and thought it was such a cute idea. The perspective changed between Dazzle's POV and Maya's which was done well because that can get confusing, especially with early readers. Overall, this was a cute story and I look forward to reading more of the series.
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May 10, 2023See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/book-b...
DAZZLE MAKES A WISH is a sweet chapter book about friendship and sharing. Dazzle the Unicorn has always wished for a home and a child to love, but he has stayed on the store shelves - until a grandmother comes to buy him for her first grandbaby. However, when the baby is a boy and she notices how much he sheds, she decides to put him in her yardsale, where he is found by a librarian named Anne. At the library, Dazzle is a Book Buddy, a stuffed animal that children can check out for two weeks to practice reading to and play with.
One day, a girl named Maya, who is new in town, sees him at the library and brings him home. Her brother Mateo picks his own Book Buddy, a gnome named Nugget that he decides to call Wizard Wonderful. After getting home, Dazzle meets some fairies who have a special playhouse, Ruby, Opal, and Pinecone. Before long, Maya's mother has a favor to ask as she deals with some things for work, requesting that Maya and Mateo play with the daughter of the woman she is working with. They are happy to do so, but Isabelle has a rough style of playing and making trouble that neither of them like. Maya must decide how to handle it and make sure that everyone has fun - and the toys are safe.
What I loved: This is a sweet chapter book that deals with problems children will understand, particularly how to play with kindness and what it really means to share. While it may seem that Maya and Mateo are strong-armed into doing whatever Isabelle wants in the name of sharing, they soon learn that standing up to her and finding ways that they can all happily play is the best way. In the end, they all make new friends.
The story is told from the perspective of Dazzle and Maya, and Dazzle has his own wish for himself that he is considering as the story unfolds. While Dazzle wished for a home and a child to love, as a Book Buddy, he does not have this traditional toy life, but what he learns is that he has something even better - a home where he is loved by many children. The lesson seems to be that our wishes may not come true in the ways that we want, but sometimes what we have is also really great.
The story is lightly illustrated with key images here and there throughout, using the same style as on the cover in black and white. This felt like a bit more of an advanced chapter book, as there were several page spreads without any illustrations. As such, it will work for children who are advancing in their reading independence, though it could also be shared aloud with a caregiver. The writing is a bit oversized which will help with independence, and the language used is reasonably complex and varied.
Final verdict: Overall, DAZZLE MAKES A WISH is a sweet chapter book about friendship, sharing, and wishes.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
DAZZLE MAKES A WISH is a sweet chapter book about friendship and sharing. Dazzle the Unicorn has always wished for a home and a child to love, but he has stayed on the store shelves - until a grandmother comes to buy him for her first grandbaby. However, when the baby is a boy and she notices how much he sheds, she decides to put him in her yardsale, where he is found by a librarian named Anne. At the library, Dazzle is a Book Buddy, a stuffed animal that children can check out for two weeks to practice reading to and play with.
One day, a girl named Maya, who is new in town, sees him at the library and brings him home. Her brother Mateo picks his own Book Buddy, a gnome named Nugget that he decides to call Wizard Wonderful. After getting home, Dazzle meets some fairies who have a special playhouse, Ruby, Opal, and Pinecone. Before long, Maya's mother has a favor to ask as she deals with some things for work, requesting that Maya and Mateo play with the daughter of the woman she is working with. They are happy to do so, but Isabelle has a rough style of playing and making trouble that neither of them like. Maya must decide how to handle it and make sure that everyone has fun - and the toys are safe.
What I loved: This is a sweet chapter book that deals with problems children will understand, particularly how to play with kindness and what it really means to share. While it may seem that Maya and Mateo are strong-armed into doing whatever Isabelle wants in the name of sharing, they soon learn that standing up to her and finding ways that they can all happily play is the best way. In the end, they all make new friends.
The story is told from the perspective of Dazzle and Maya, and Dazzle has his own wish for himself that he is considering as the story unfolds. While Dazzle wished for a home and a child to love, as a Book Buddy, he does not have this traditional toy life, but what he learns is that he has something even better - a home where he is loved by many children. The lesson seems to be that our wishes may not come true in the ways that we want, but sometimes what we have is also really great.
The story is lightly illustrated with key images here and there throughout, using the same style as on the cover in black and white. This felt like a bit more of an advanced chapter book, as there were several page spreads without any illustrations. As such, it will work for children who are advancing in their reading independence, though it could also be shared aloud with a caregiver. The writing is a bit oversized which will help with independence, and the language used is reasonably complex and varied.
Final verdict: Overall, DAZZLE MAKES A WISH is a sweet chapter book about friendship, sharing, and wishes.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
May 10, 2023
First sentence: For weeks the unicorn waited on the toy store shelf. Families came and went, but no one bought the snow-white unicorn with a twisty horn and a sparkly pink tail. On his tag, it said his name was Dazzle. It also said that unicorns can grant wishes, but only for someone with a good heart. Dazzle didn’t know if he could grant a wish for himself. But he thought it was worth a try. So every night, he made the same wish. I wish for a home and a child of my own.
Premise/plot: Dazzle (the unicorn) has one wish--to belong to one child and be LOVED. Unfortunately, Dazzle's wish is unlikely to come true--at least in the traditional sense. Dazzle is purchased, but, not for one child. He is instead purchased for many children. He is "rescued in the wild" (if you will) by Anne the Librarian. (Or is it Ann the librarian?) Dazzle becomes a book buddy. Children (with library cards) can check out a toy--a book buddy--in addition to checking out books. Dazzle goes home with Maya as a book buddy...and adventures are had....
My thoughts: I absolutely love the Book Buddies series. I've read all three books. I highly recommend the series. It is everything I would have LOVED as a kid growing up. Let's be honest, it is everything I love now as an adult. Books and toys just go well together. I love the fantasy of it as well. Each book introduces us readers to a new toy, a new child, and new adventures. The toy sections very much read like Toy Story (minus the scary/creepy elements). While Dazzle is the toy selected by Maya; Maya's brother chooses a garden gnome whom he pretends is a wizard. It's just silly goodness.
To be honest, Dazzle would not be my first choice of toy to bring home. I definitely discriminate against glitter. I just have a zero tolerance level for shedding glitter. This book might help me feel guilty about that. But still.
Premise/plot: Dazzle (the unicorn) has one wish--to belong to one child and be LOVED. Unfortunately, Dazzle's wish is unlikely to come true--at least in the traditional sense. Dazzle is purchased, but, not for one child. He is instead purchased for many children. He is "rescued in the wild" (if you will) by Anne the Librarian. (Or is it Ann the librarian?) Dazzle becomes a book buddy. Children (with library cards) can check out a toy--a book buddy--in addition to checking out books. Dazzle goes home with Maya as a book buddy...and adventures are had....
My thoughts: I absolutely love the Book Buddies series. I've read all three books. I highly recommend the series. It is everything I would have LOVED as a kid growing up. Let's be honest, it is everything I love now as an adult. Books and toys just go well together. I love the fantasy of it as well. Each book introduces us readers to a new toy, a new child, and new adventures. The toy sections very much read like Toy Story (minus the scary/creepy elements). While Dazzle is the toy selected by Maya; Maya's brother chooses a garden gnome whom he pretends is a wizard. It's just silly goodness.
To be honest, Dazzle would not be my first choice of toy to bring home. I definitely discriminate against glitter. I just have a zero tolerance level for shedding glitter. This book might help me feel guilty about that. But still.
July 17, 2024
Dazzle, the unicorn, just wants a friend and a forever home. He is very excited when he finally is purchased from the toy store but he is ultimately sold in a yard sale to the library to be a book buddy. One day a new family comes into the library and checks out Dazzle and Nugget, the gnome. Maya wishes on Dazzle to make friends. Her mother has a work colleague come over bringing her daughter, Isabelle. Maya is very excited to make a new friend but Isabelle is not the easiest person. Maya learns how to stand up for herself and her brother and how they want to play with the toys they are sharing with Isabelle. This is a cute addition to the Book Buddies series and the adventures that they go on. The easy chapter book is filled with drawings that help to bring the characters to life and break up large passages of text. The conflicts are introduced in a straightforward manner and are resolved in a believable and age appropriate way. I would recommend this series to most libraries that provide materials to beginning and emergent readers. This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.
March 24, 2023
"... unicorns can grant wishes, but only for someone with a good heart."
Dazzle goes from a toy store, to a yard sale by and finally ends up with Anne at the library. But what Dazzle really desires is "a home and a child of my own." But how can that happen when he has to be returned every two weeks?
Maya's wish is to have a friend because they are new in town. Can choosing Dazzle as her Book Buddy make that wish come true?
Dazzle goes from a toy store, to a yard sale by and finally ends up with Anne at the library. But what Dazzle really desires is "a home and a child of my own." But how can that happen when he has to be returned every two weeks?
Maya's wish is to have a friend because they are new in town. Can choosing Dazzle as her Book Buddy make that wish come true?
November 6, 2023
A heartwarming story told from the perspective of a toy. Dazzle has been left on the shelf for long time. His one wish to be loved by a family. The story follows his journey till he gets sent to the perfect spot. The book also has children doing a read aloud which is extra special. The sibling relationship is also very sweet. The book also discusses friendship and sharing. Worth the read!
June 10, 2023
My daughter and I love this series! So cute and this one had some successful social problem solving too, which is great for kids to see a problem and a solution played out in a story.
July 12, 2024
Dazzle is a unicorn stuffed animal who just wishes to have a child and home of his own, but he instead ends up as a borrowable Book Buddy at the public library. When he goes home with Maya, he learns a bit about friendship, standing up for youself, and the benefits of being a Book Buddy (being friends to lots of children). I love that stuffed animals are the focus of a first chapter book, because I know kids will enjoy this series. I do wish this one was in full color because I'd love seeing all the Book Buddies and fairies fully illustrated. (As a public librarian, circulating stuffed animals sounds like a gross mess, but it's a cute idea.)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews