Do Over

by Audrey Beth Stein

Let your imagination take you on a wild ride that ends, well, the way YOU want it to end.

This time around, there’s an elephant, a lollipop, a mysterious string, and even an otter… but when a kid (or is it a koala?) licks the lollipop, something seriously strange takes the story in a very unexpected direction.

Kid illustrators Deena, Danica, and Nat joined veteran author Audrey Beth Stein to create this entertaining and unique interactive book.

Black-and-white illustrations are ripe for coloring. Readers will delight in imagining new adventures for the characters. Nearly a dozen pages await your own words and illustrations… with a space for your name on the cover and your self-portrait inside.*

Ready for a zany adventure?


* the Kindle (eBook) version contains the same text and illustrations as the paperback, but it is NOT meant for coloring... except in your imagination. Save your crayons for paper and walls!

31 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2022

About the author

Audrey Beth Stein is the author of the memoir MAP, which was a Lambda Literary Award Finalist, as well as the picture books LOOK AT ME, BEAR AND DRAGON CAT, and THE DAY MY BEST FRIEND AND A MIGRAINE SLEPT OVER. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College and is a two-time national prizewinner in the David Dornstein Memorial Short Story Contest. She taught creative writing workshops for a decade at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education.

Reviews

[Star Gater · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do Over -- A silly story where the ending is up to you by Audrey Beth Stein just didn't work for me.

The illustrations are primitive as stick people. I believe the premise is to create your own color, and that includes creating pictures. This doesn't come across on my Kindle -- I've gleaned the information from the synopsis.

The story is sketchy. I read a book before gifting to a child because I don't want to give something like this. I couldn't find a narrative. As I envisioned reading to a young child, all I could answer is I don't know, we'll have to see. Now, maybe factors in, maybe I will be able to explain this at the end? Sadly, I still couldn't. There are blank pages to add-on to the story, but I didn't find a story.

I was disappointed and imagined a child confused. Reading at a young age needs to be interesting not baffling. I wouldn't encourage a child aged 3-8 to color and write in a story book. And, how would they if someone handed them a Kindle? There are too many unexplained issues for me.

Published: 11/17/22

Thank you NetGalley and the independent publisher for allowing me to read and review Do Over.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blurb may imply that Do Over is a pick-your-own-adventure book, but it’s literally what it says: “ends, well, the way YOU want it to end” — that is to say, you write the ending.

With childlike line drawings and a super-silly story, this book will keep kids busy for hours with writing a conclusion (silly, I hope!) and coloring. It’s not a book that will appeal to adults, but does everything have to? Definitely not!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Aubrey Beth Stein in exchange for an honest review.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the idea behind this book. The author has written the book in the way that it allows the reader to be the author and illustrator of the story so that they can make it their own.

I read the book with my five year old daughter and she loved the idea and getting involved. The story is funny and one that was perfectly aimed at her age too – she loves whimsical stories and those with some fantasy so it was a hit with her but as a parent and knowing what she does read, the novelty will wear off so it would be a book that is only read 1-2 times but its still a great concept.

It is 4 stars from us for this one – highly recommended

[Andrea Pole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do Over by Audrey Beth Stein is a quirky, imaginative, and completely unique story in which young readers can let their creativity soar. Illustrated by children in a black and white style that encourages colouring, readers are taken on a voyage of discovery that invites them to create and shape the story in their very own special way. Young children will delight in this interactive experience, and it is a great way to foster engagement with books as they move forward in their reading journey.

Many thanks to author Audrey Beth Stein for providing an ARC.

[Dylan | itsthelymanlibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never seen a book like this and it was such a fun idea. The concept is that it’s basically as random as what comes out of my toddler’s mouth when he’s telling a story, the illustrations are by children (or at least look like were done by children), then the end is left blank for your kid to finish and illustrate the book. I think my kid would love this if he had a physical copy! I think the concept is so cute and fun, I did find myself wishing it were more madlibs like, though. Having your child just write the end means the beginning was just unnecessarily chaotic.

[Theediscerning · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh dear. This looks like a bunch of bad children's drawings from independent sources have been put together in some form of order, and the author has been forced with a gun against their head to develop a plot connecting them. It's all about as coherent as that implies, with no logical progression until the author packs up and passes the buck to the purchaser. Basically, with that and the very childish illustrations here, if you can't come up with something along the same lines from playing an improv/parlour game with your children, you ought to have them taken off you. There is a right way to be bonkers, and this isn't it.

[Zalina · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun and creative

My son was absolutely in love with this book.He kept asking to read it more.
The story is very fun,it will make your child laugh, ask questions, use the imagination-all things you want from a good children’s book. The author leaves few pages in the back for kids to draw their own ending, which I think is an awesome way to encourage kids be creative.

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 5 out of 5]

DO OVER is a clever, creative and fun story that will spark imaginations. Children can actively participate in this story where they can color in their own drawings. It's a book and activity workbook all in one! Kids will love it! Highly recommended.

[Lisa Gisèle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Although I spent most of the book confused, I do think children will like it. I laughed at the bubble-gum-brains spewed upwards.

Mostly, it left me confused

[Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.

[Tara Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Budding writer

Great book to encourage your kiddo to write and illustrate their own stories. The author gives the reader a great starting point o continue the story.

[Autumn James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audrey Beth Stein gives the children a fun and silly story, then allows the children’s imagination to take over and bring the story to an end. It is very neat.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative and fun!

Even as an adult reading the story, I found it to be imaginative and fun! I was turning the pages, not sure what would happen next. Not at all predictable! I loved the kid art and that kid readers could create their own ending and illustrations!