Genre: Children’s Book
Pages: 38
Rating: 5 out of 5
Kika always seems to accomplish things differently than others and tends to get into trouble for it. She reminds us that choosing to be different is more than okay, and finding others to join in her upside down adventures makes her heart feel huge – especially when it involves somersaults, vaults, flips and kips! Join Kika, a girl who loves living upside down in a right side up world, on her unique journey to a fliptastic world! Kika reminds us that choosing to be different is more than okay, and finding others to join in her upside down adventures feels fliptastic – especially when it involves somersaults, vaults, flips and kips in the Gymnastics Emporium!
{I enlisted the help of K to read Kika the Upside Down Girl for you!}
* * * Review * * *
For starters, I love the illustrations.
They are cute and fun and bright and lively.
K is 9 and did a great job reading the book and really enjoyed it. She had minimal issues with the words (one word she struggled with was escapade). Even B was interested in reading the book.
It may just be the mom in me, but I felt that Kika’s love of being upside down can be translated to something so much more.
In the book, Kika’s parents want her to be ‘normal’, but Kika just wants people to like her for being her. To understand her. To understand that being upside is fun to her.
It could be that B is ‘special needs’ with his ADHD and anxiety disorder, but I feel like this can really relate to his situation. Although ADHD and anxiety disorder aren’t as fun as being upside down, he just wants people to understand him and like him for who he is.
Fortunately for Kika, she finds a place where she fits in. Where others are like her and doing what she enjoys to do and I feel like there are settings where our kids do fit in with others and don’t feel so alone. They feel like there are others just like them who accept them for being them.
I am sure a child reading this book would not necessarily take away the same message I did, but I think it’s a great book all the same.
Were it read in a classroom setting with a discussion, I think it could really have a valuable lesson for children to accept and like kids regardless of who they are, what they like, etc. (It would also make a great conversation with parents and child!)
Buy the Book… Amazon.com Barnes and Noble Indigo
About the Author
Olympic gymnast turned author, motivational speaker and experiential educator Jessica Tudos (JessicaTudos.com) is on a mission to empower kids, youth and adults to develop the confidence and resiliency required to lead active, healthy and creative lives. In organizations around the world, Jessica empowers audiences through engaging stories, insights & reflections drawn from her upside down life, including her Olympic gymnastics adventures. Jessica is a sought after speaker, facilitator and professor in experiential education, physical literacy, leadership & elite sports.
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