Natalie School's First Day of Me

TITLE: Natalie School's First Day of Me
AUTHOR: Dandi Daley Mackall
ILLUSTRATOR: Lys Blakeslee
PUBLISHER: Zonderkidz
COPYRIGHT: 2009

This is the newest book in the "That's Nat!" series by Dandi Daley Mackall. Natalie is getting ready for kindergarten and her mind is filled with "what ifs" about the first day. This book is appropriate for early readers and young primary aged children will enjoy this story.

I found this book very appropriate for myself to read also as the mother of a boy who is heading to kindergarten. It made me see things through his eyes and the "what ifs" he may have about the first day. I would recommend this book for parents to read with their children who are going to kindergarten.

Natalie Really Very Much Wants to Be a Star

TITLE: Natalie Really Very Much Wants to Be a Star
AUTHOR: Dandi Daley Mackall
ILLUSTRATOR: Lys Blakeslee
PUBLISHER: Zonderkidz
COPYRIGHT: 2009

In this second book about Natlie, she finds out her Sunday School class will be performing a Christmas play. She desperately wants the part of Mary. What will Natalie's attitude be when she doesn't receive the part?

I enjoyed this book. One part I did have a problem with though, which was Natalie's use of the word "stupidhead." I can see the author is trying to make her a realistic little girl who has a bad attitude about things sometimes. What I didn't like though was that the "stupidhead" was something she mumbled under her breath and she knows no one else hears her when she says it...like she knows she isn't supposed to say it but says it anyway. I just didn't like that attitude of Natalie. This is a cute story about Christmas and the true meaning of the holiday. Young girls who are early readers will enjoy this book.

Natalie and the One-of-a--Kind Wonderful Day!

TITLE: Natalie and the One-of-a-Kind Wonderful Day!
AUTHOR: Dandi Daley Mackall
ILLUSTRATOR: Lys Blakeslee
PUBLISHER: Zonderkids
COPYRIGHT: 2009

Natalie is a five year old girl who wants to have a one-of-a-kind wonderful day. She tries first thing in the morning by making "omel-nats." That turns out to be not such a wonderful idea. This sweet, determined little girl continues to try new wonderful things all day long that just lead to disasters. She doesn't feel very happy by bedtime until a talk with her parents shows her God made her special and wonderful. Primary aged girls will enjoy this story and the character of Natalie.

I enjoyed getting to know Natalie in this book and recommend this for your daughter or church library.