
Fiona and the Peculiar Praise
Maine Diaz
(Illustrated by)Description
Meet Fiona, short for Queen Fiona of Apartment 4C. She's clever, brave, resourceful, and very, very helpful. Why then do her family and neighbors only praise her for her beauty? Fiona knows she is so much more than "pretty" and "cute"--she is smart and strong too.
Through playful adventures, Fiona and the Peculiar Praise reinforces for young readers that what matters more than our looks is who we are and what we do. Being appreciated for our actions, intelligence, and accomplishments is the type of praise that really matters to cats like Fiona--and kids like ours.
Product Details
Publisher | 4U2B Books & Media |
Publish Date | May 13, 2025 |
Pages | 32 |
Language | English |
Type | |
EAN/UPC | 9780829458770 |
Dimensions | 10.2 X 8.2 X 0.4 inches | 0.7 pounds |
About the Author
Reviews
When Fiona, a fluffy white house cat, wakes Mom for breakfast in the morning, Mom says: "Too early, pretty kitty." Then, when she helps with a rogue mouse, the neighbor calls her "Lovely." In the evening, she chases a new toy, entertaining everybody with her acrobatics, and they call her "cute." At dinner, Fiona sits on a laptop, and Dad asks: "Is it dinnertime, Gorgeous?" Fiona is fed up. "'GORGEOUS?!' THAT'S IT. I am OUT of patience now. I've done amazing things today, but all anyone can talk about is the way I look!" Finally, her human "sister" Lou (who has brown hair and light skin) says, "You know what I love about Fiona... I love how smart she is!" To Fiona's relief, Lou goes on to acknowledge all that Fiona does for the family. Diaz's full-page cartoon illustrations in pastel tones highlight Fiona's dynamism. The illustrations bring the prose to life; readers see Fiona's bravery, strength, and athleticism in action, as well as her expressive face. The first-person narration in Fiona's voice adds weight to her dissatisfaction with being objectified. The story's energetic pace mirrors Fiona's busy day as well as her frustration, building to the dinner-table climax before the comforting ending.
-Kirkus Reviews
Earn by promoting books