"ROOTing" for Ollie from Start to Finish!
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this story with my boys, and we fell in love! Andrew Hacket's debut picture book, illustrated by the remarkable Kaz Windness, takes a familiar and important topic- bullying- and gives it a new and imaginative twist.
The first of three books Hacket is releasing in 2024, Ollie's story invites kids and caregivers to explore the power of kindness. With fun wordplay and colorful illustrations that bring Ollie's mighty idea to life, this book is one that kids and caregivers will want to read again and again.
"When these two characters get to the root of the problem, they're able to move forward together."
Synopsis
Ollie, a boy who loves gardening, wishes that he could be a tree strong enough to stand up to Everett, the boy next door who constantly bullies Ollie. When Everett steals from Ollie's garden, Ollie comes up with a mighty idea and SWALLOWS an acorn! As his transformation begins, Ollie learns the right (and wrong) way to stand up to a bully.
My Big Kid’s Honest Review:
What my Kids Loved: Hacket's use of tree-related wordplay like "Everett needles" or "LEAVE!" made my oldest boy laugh out loud and he enjoyed pointing them out each time we encountered them. The colorful and detailed illustrations held the attention of both kiddos, especially as Ollie began consuming everything a tree needs to grow strong. The little guy especially loved the pages where Ollie's transformation into a mighty Oak was complete. The back matter is engaging and fun, and my kids enjoyed learning about why following Ollie's example wouldn't be the best idea.
What I Loved: As a mom, I appreciated the message that it's important to stand up for yourself as long as you don't take it too far. Hacket has created two relatable characters here: Ollie, who is understandably frustrated and DONE with his neighbor bullying him, and Everett, who is jealous of Ollie and doesn't know how to express that feeling. When these two characters get to the root of the problem, they're able to move forward together. I loved that rather than ending the story by having Ollie stand up to Everett, Hacket took it a step further and created a resolution that was satisfying for both characters.
As a writer, I loved how Hacket took the story to unexpected places. The repeated "I couldn't. I shouldn't." throughout the text- followed by "But he does!"- pulls the reader out of their comfort zone and made me think, "oh, wow, he really went there!" Instead of having Ollie just dream of becoming a tree, Hacket actually allows Ollie to do so! When writing for children, it's fun to stretch the imagination and see how far we can take a concept. This is something I want to do more in my own writing!
My favorite lines:
Mouth open wide,
Ollie soars and . . .
CHOMP, bites a chunk off the sun.
Final thoughts: This book tackles a tough topic with humor, mischief, and heart. Fun to read aloud and exciting enough to be read over and over again, Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea will make an excellent addition to classroom and home libraries everywhere.
You can request Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea from your local library or purchase from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers- but don't forget to check your local independent bookstore first!
Love this! Thanks for sharing, Julie!