The Gumazing Gum Girl!
Chews Your Destiny
by Rhode Montijo
If I had a penny for every request I received from someone asking me to review their book(s), I could put both my kids through college. In fact, I have shelves of books next to my desk awaiting reviews. Some don't ever make it to this blog (or L4LL), while others are waiting patiently for their time to arrive.
The books that are far more likely to make it on here in a timely manner are those that I either think my readers need to know about immediately, or those that capture my children's interest right away as with The Gumazing Gum Girl!
Rhode Montijo is one of the talented men behind the Super Grammar book I frequently rave about. He is an illustrating maniac. And when he sent me a copy of The Gumazing Gum Girl, my daughter spotted it and quickly confiscated it. An hour later she was done.
The book is a blend of chapter book and comic book rolled into one. And the best part (in my mind anyway) is that the lead character is Latina! Little Gabby Gomez takes chewing gum to a new level. She's never without it. You can find her blowing bubbles while hanging upside down from a tree, while swimming at the pool, and even while getting her hair cut at the barber shop (so gross!). Until finally one day her mami and papi (who also happens to be a dentist) say enough is enough. No. More. Gum.
Unfortunately, Gabby struggles a bit with self control and ends up breaking the rule which gets her into a very sticky situation.
My daughter's only complaint was that the book was too short. And she wants to know when the sequel is coming out.
The books is written in English, but there are a few Spanish words or phrases scattered in the book.
In the past, I've mentioned that there has to be a balance when it comes to what our kids read. Although classics are important and there are specific books that every child should be exposed to and know, having fun and making independent choices are critical. In order to raise children (and eventually adults) who love to read, we have to allow them the opportunity to choose fun books from time to time and let them be the masters of their reading lists. We have to let them pick titles, but we also have to provide them with some. A strategically placed book can inspire a reluctant reader.
The Gumazing Gum Girl! is one of those books. Both my daughter who loves Swiss Family Robinson and Adelita with equal passion, and my son who prefers to be read to, very much enjoyed reading about Gum Girl on their own. So if you are looking for a short, fun read for your kids, check out this little book.
Rhode Montijo is one of the talented men behind the Super Grammar book I frequently rave about. He is an illustrating maniac. And when he sent me a copy of The Gumazing Gum Girl, my daughter spotted it and quickly confiscated it. An hour later she was done.
The book is a blend of chapter book and comic book rolled into one. And the best part (in my mind anyway) is that the lead character is Latina! Little Gabby Gomez takes chewing gum to a new level. She's never without it. You can find her blowing bubbles while hanging upside down from a tree, while swimming at the pool, and even while getting her hair cut at the barber shop (so gross!). Until finally one day her mami and papi (who also happens to be a dentist) say enough is enough. No. More. Gum.
Unfortunately, Gabby struggles a bit with self control and ends up breaking the rule which gets her into a very sticky situation.
My daughter's only complaint was that the book was too short. And she wants to know when the sequel is coming out.
The books is written in English, but there are a few Spanish words or phrases scattered in the book.
In the past, I've mentioned that there has to be a balance when it comes to what our kids read. Although classics are important and there are specific books that every child should be exposed to and know, having fun and making independent choices are critical. In order to raise children (and eventually adults) who love to read, we have to allow them the opportunity to choose fun books from time to time and let them be the masters of their reading lists. We have to let them pick titles, but we also have to provide them with some. A strategically placed book can inspire a reluctant reader.
The Gumazing Gum Girl! is one of those books. Both my daughter who loves Swiss Family Robinson and Adelita with equal passion, and my son who prefers to be read to, very much enjoyed reading about Gum Girl on their own. So if you are looking for a short, fun read for your kids, check out this little book.
