Minnie & Max are OK Review

Synopsis from Jessica Kingsley Publishers’ Website:

A Story to Help Children Develop a Positive Body Image

Chris Calland and Nicky Hutchinson, illustrated by Emmi Smid

In this endearing story for children aged 3-7, Minnie’s Grandma teaches her and their dog Max about body image. Showing children how to be proud of their differences through humour, empathy and enthralling illustrations, this vibrant book includes questions to guide adults through helping their children feel confident and embrace diversity.

About: Minnie & Max are OK! is a children’s picture book written by Chris Calland and Nicky Hutchinson and illustrated by Emmi Smid. It was published on 5/18/2017 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, hardcover, 40 pages. This book is intended for readers ages 3 to 7. According to Jessica Kingsley Publishers’ website, they are “a wholly independent company, committed to publishing books that make a difference.” It was founded in 1987 in London by Jessica Kingsley and has grown since then to now publishing over 250 books a year and recently in 2004 opened a US office in Philadelphia. Please see below for more information about the author and publisher.

My Experience: I started reading Minnie & Max are OK! on 4/14/17 as a story time for my 5 year-old son and we finished it on the same day. We read it again on 5/18/17. This book is really fun to read! I love the purpose of the story. My son loves the characters and all of their wild questions! The illustrations are so cute! This book brings up an important subject about body image insecurities and I love that I can read and discuss about it with my son.

In this book, readers will follow Minnie, a little girl with big brown curly hair and Max, a dog with short legs and scruffy fur. Minnie is always excited when Max and her Grandma comes to pick her up at school. She would ask her Grandma all kinds of questions on their way home. Today, however, she’s feeling miserable and that makes Max sad too. Minnie begins to wish she could look more like her friends and Max does the same thing by wishing he could have long legs like the other dog at the park. Grandma comforts them both by taking them out to the park and stopping by a café for milkshakes. Grandma asks them to imagine “how boring it would be if we all looked the same.” I like the illustration that shows a picture of many of the same looking dogs and many lookalike Minnie.

This book is super cute because not only was the little girl Minnie feeling unhappy about how she looks but also the dog Max. I love it when they both looked into the mirror and sounding disappointed of what they see. My son likes it when Minnie and Max are at the park and they look around noticing how different each person and dog is and then imagining how it would be if everyone look the same. I love the discussion topics at the end of the book. I love the ending of this book! I will definitely be reading this book so many times! (already read 2 times!).

I truly love books that encourages and motivates kids to be positive and to accept who they are. This book along with Okay Kevin (Review HERE) are a must read kids books and they both came from Jessica Kingsley Publishers. I highly recommend parents/teachers to pick up a copy of their books! You won’t be disappointed!

Pro: humor, body image, confidence, comfort, illustration, diversity, encouraging, important topic, discussion topics with kids, motivation

Con: None

I rate it 5 stars!

Grab yourself a copy here: Jessica Kingsley Publishers or Buy here for free shipping: Book Depository

About the Author:

Chris Calland and Nicky Hutchinson are specialist education consultants with over 25 years’ experience of working in children’s behaviour and mental health. They work internationally with parents, schools and health professionals to develop children’s self-esteem and body confidence. They co-authored the award winning book, Body Image in the Primary School (David Fulton, 2011).

Chris and Nicky advise the government on how to promote a healthy body image in boys and girls and believe it is vital to begin this work when children are young. (Info obtained from the publisher’s website).

More Information about Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Website: http://www.jkp.com | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicakingsleypublishers | Twitter: https://twitter.com/JKPBooks | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JKPbooks

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the opportunity to read and review. Please assure that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine