There’s been an unusual amount of growling going on in our home this past weekend! It’s all down to Julia Dweck! Not to worry though, it’s all in fun. My children have decided they are going to act like bears after reading “Faux Paw”. We’ve received a copy of this ebook in exchange for writing our review.
Julia Dweck’s newest children’s book, Faux Paw, will be released tomorrow (October 22, 2013). This adorable book has cute characters that are under the authority of a mean-looking and mean-sounding teacher called Mrs. Hunter (there’s no way this could be Mrs. Dweck in her day-job, I’m sure. By the way, did you know she is really is a teacher?).
‘Waldon Bear is a little boy who wants to be a bear.
“That’s impossible,” says his teacher, Mrs. Hunter. “Human children grow up to be human adults, not animals!” But Waldon refuses to listen. Can Waldon make it as a bear in school?’
The children in Faux Paw all have animal-like last names such as Crowe, Wolf, and Bear. The teacher’s name is Mrs. Hunter. My children are still too young to understand the significance of these names, but for slightly older children, it will bring greater meaning to this story. Waldon Bear’s Mom makes him a grizzly bear costume and supports him in being a bear. Soon Waldon’s enthusiasm spreads to the rest of the class, much to the annoyance of Mrs. Hunter!
Tristan says about his favourite part of the book, when Waldon arrives to class wearing his bear costume, “It was great when he came to school and surprised the teacher. I loved that part! The teacher was not happy.”
The story ends with a new teacher, Mrs. Lions making an appearance (in a lion costume). Tristan said about Julia Dweck at the end of reading this book for the first time, “I know who she is: she’s Mrs Lions!”
Mrs. Dweck had supportive parents, and she has dedicated this book to her sister, who always wanted to be a bird. Their parents never discouraged her, and although she isn’t literally a bird, her “imagination takes flight each day” according to Julia.
I’m sure you know of a parent, maybe even yourself, who has made a costume for their child so they can act out a character. My own mom has made a bald-headed eagle costume and a dinosaur costume for my nephew many years ago, and he loved them so much he’d wear them until he couldn’t fit into them any longer. He’d even wear them to bed to stay in character. Waldon Bear’s mother is just as kind and makes her son a bear costume when he wants to be a bear, against the approval of his teacher, Mrs. Hunter.
At the end of Faux Paw you’ll find out some amazing bear facts about eight kinds of bears. Your child can also practice their skills with some animals track matching. Tristan and Kallista really enjoy this, and Tristan remembers doing something similar two years ago.
This book, like others that Mrs. Dweck has written contains an important lesson. In Faux Paw it is that you can be anything you want to be. Never give up, just be creative about how you achieve your goal.
The previous books we’ve reviewed for Mrs. Dweck have been rhyming stories. Faux Paw isn’t such a book. It’s interesting how you can associate a particular style of both writing and illustrations with an author. This book switches up the writing style for us.
Each of the books we’ve read by Mrs. Dweck have had different illustrators which was a bit different at first, but now we see how each illustrator adds something different to each story and Mrs. Dweck has chosen well for each story. Walter Carzon is the illustrator for Faux Paw, and he’s been following his dream of illustrating since he was a boy. You can find out more about him here.
After reading this book, and for the 3 days since, Tristan and Kallista have spent their days growling and being bears of various species. Now they want to do a bear craft! I better get my thinking cap on for this!
What do you want to be when you grow up? Carolyn of Wise Owl Factory has created lots of fun posters on this topic. Print out a few and have your child pose with them, the photos will be treasured when looked back upon in years to come!
If you love Julia Dweck, be sure to connect with her through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or her own Website.
If you would like to purchase your own Faux Paw e-book, simply click on the Amazon affiliate link below.
You can see more of our reviews of Mrs. Dweck’s books by clicking on one of these links:
Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews says
Thanks for your great review of Faux Pas and for linking into the Kid Lit Blog Hop. I know, I’m a little late hopping around this time! 😉 I have to say that I can’t keep up with Julia anymore – that woman is on fire!! Always producing some of the best picture e-books on the market though. 🙂
Crystal McClean says
We can’t keep up with Julia either! Incredible how quickly she can write good quality books for kids 😉 Thanks for stopping by, we’ll chat again soon.
Stacie Theis says
I love this story and the message it conveys. It’s easy for a negative person to crush someone’s dream, but in turn it takes just one supportive person to make all the difference. Thanks for sharing!
Crystal McClean says
Very well put, Stacie! I know I have felt this way a few times this year, but have been lifted up at just the right moment by someone’s belief in me. Thank you for taking the time to comment 🙂 Have a spectacular weekend!
Dena says
I love the illustrations!
Crystal McClean says
I agree, they are very cute.
Angela Muse says
This book looks super cute!
Bruce Gargoyle says
The illustrations in Julia Dweck’s books are always so appealing – it’s like a party for your eyeballs!
Crystal McClean says
A party for your eyeballs! I like that! Yes, Julia really knows how to choose the right illustrator 🙂
Stephanie @ From the Burbs to the Boonies says
I love it! It sounds like a creative and fun kind of book that kids would really like. I also love the animal lesson at the end, that’s awesome.
Crystal McClean says
I love the little extras that Julia adds to the end of her books!
Adelien says
It sounds a great book for my children. I wish I could have one.
Tammy Doiel says
It sounds like a fun book. I always like to find good new children’s books!
Crystal McClean says
It’s a cute one, with a good lesson. Julia Dweck comes has been releasing one a month since we’ve ‘known’ her!
Missy Homemaker says
This sounds like a great book for my little guy. It sounds fun and like it would keep his attention.
Crystal McClean says
It’s a cute one…I’m thinking we might turn the little kid’s table into a den tomorrow.
Jen @Making Our Life Matter says
That is so cute! I miss that age where I could read the picture books to my kids. I wish I could hear your little bears growling 🙂
Crystal McClean says
Now wouldn’t sound snippets n the blog be fun! Thank you for the reminder to take the time to enjoy reading books with my children 😉
Katie @ Gift of Curiosity says
Sounds like fun! I could totally see my kids growling around the house like bears as well. 🙂
Crystal McClean says
Watch out, or you could be taking the lead in a bear hunt!
Carli says
This book looks like so much fun! I will have to check it out…my son loves Bears!
Crystal McClean says
Fabulous! What is his favourite type of bear?
TheBargainBabe says
Ahhh that looks so cute!!
I always wanted to be a teacher, then I grew up and went to school, got married and had kids, quit school so my husband could finish his master’s and now am BACK in school wrapping up my Elementary Education degree.
It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to achieve your dreams, just as long as you get there. 🙂
Crystal McClean says
Go you! You are being an excellent role-model for your children 🙂 We should all remember to strive for our dreams, even when they seem out of reach. Good luck in your studies!