A delightful new series of chapter books features Kylie Jean Carter from Jacksonville, Texas, who very much wants to be a beauty queen. The first four books by Texas author Marci Peschke were released in January by Picture Window Books. They are "Kylie Jean Rodeo Queen," "Kylie Jean Blueberry Queen," "Kylie Jean Drama Queen," and "Kylie Jean Hoop Queen." The books, available in paperback for $4.95 each, are wonderfully illustrated by artist Tuesday Mourning. The stories are aimed at girls ages 6 to 9. Kylie Jean is 8 years old, loves pink, has a brother named T.J. and a bulldog named Ugly Brother. She practices her beauty queen wave all the time "because everybody knows beauty queens need to have a perfect wave. It's side to side, nice and slow, with a dazzling smile," she explains. The stories are upbeat and emphasize strong family values, with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins pitching in to make Kylie Jean a special little girl. Her mother has taught her that it is important to be pretty on the inside as well as on the outside, and Kylie Jean is -- well, most of the time. The character is based on the author's niece, who is in fact named Kylie Jean. The author, an elementary school librarian, has more Kylie Jean books in the works, including "Kylie Jean Spelling Bee Queen" and "Kylie Jean Football Queen." Four more Kylie Jean books are scheduled to be published in January. Read more on the author's website, marcipeschke.com. http: //www.gosanangelo.com/news/2011/apr/07/kylie-jean-plans-to-bequeen-of-everything/-- "San Angelo Standard Times"
Kylie Jean decides she wants to enter a rodeo and win the title of "Rodeo Queen." From previous books (reviewed on this blog) we know that Kylie Jean is a determined young girl with a lot of family support. In this book one of her grandmothers helps her learn to ride a pony. Fans of the series will like it and first time readers will fall in love with Kylie Jean. Each book starts off the same so it doesn't matter which one you read first. Recommended for young girls who enjoy horse stories and those ready to move on from easy readers. Read as an ebook arc courtesy of Capstone via Netgalley. http: //goldenlibrarylady.blogspot.com/2011/04/rodeo-queen-kylie-jean.html-- "Mrs. Katz Book Blurbs blog"
My name is Kylie Jean Carter. Here are some things you need to know about me: I live in Texas. My color is pink. I have two brothers, but one of them is a dog. And my number-one dream is to be a beauty queen! The rodeo is coming to town! I want to be Rodeo Queen just like Nanny was when she was a girl. But if I want to be Rodeo Queen, I have to be in the rodeo. Rope tricks, bull-riding, barrel-racing...I'll try everything to win that crown! It would look just perfect on top of my pink cowboy hat--just you wait and see! My Take: I cannot tell you just how much I loved this little book! Well actually, maybe this can give you a clue: I am very cheap/broke (aren't we all right now?) and after reading the digital copy from NetGalley I am going to head straight out to the book store today to get the print edition of this book and the rest of the series (reviews to come later) to give to my little nieces for birthdays and Christmas. I'll probably get a set for my daughter too, even though she is too young for the series: ) The writing is completely engaging, Kylie Jean's Texas twang practically jumps out of the pages and is adorable. The character of Kylie Jean is definitely a kid you want your kids reading about. She is a pretty little girl who listens to her mom's advice of "pretty is as pretty does." She works hard to achieve her goals, and is happy and positive. While her perfection might be a bit grating to a cynical adult, a child will love her. Aside from the great story, there are fantastic illustrations and great features at the end of the book. There are discussion starters to get you and your daughter talking, there are creative project prompts, a rodeo term glossary and recipes. Kylie Jean is 8 years old, which seems to be about the right age of the audience. It is a good introduction to chapter books and a good challenge for young readers. Now I will say that Kylie Jean is a big girly girl, and little girls that tend to lean away from princess and pink will likely still enjoy this book, because it has horses and such, but perhaps not as much others who really embrace that which is ultra girly. 1, Pay Full Price http: //thebookbuff.blogspot.com/2011/03/kylie-jean-rodeo-queen.html-- "The Book Buff Blog"
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Seriously. How cute is this? I am not one to go for the sparkly pink titles (though I know my students TOTALLY do!) and I still enjoyed this beginning chapter book. Kylie Jean dreams of becoming a beauty queen. In this particular title she decides one way she will accomplish this goal is by participating in the rodeo. As a fellow Texan of course this automatically caught my attention. I can't help it. I loved the line when she visits the library to get a book on rodeo rope tricks. The librarian smiles but then shushes her ... and Kylie Jean tells us "Although it is true that I am known for being loud, on occasion"(29). The story is fun. The characters are interesting (the dog is named Ugly Brother--that is just priceless!). The illustrations are winsome and quirky. There are great examples of description in terms of the writing. I think this is a winner. There are some enjoyable (if a bit formulaic) extra discussion questions and activities at the end of the book, as well as a digital press and event kit. I was delightfully surprised to find 1)the author is a school librarian, and 2)the illustrator graduated from my alma mater. I guess the only other thing I might say is that KJ learns to barrel race well enough to WIN in a very short amount of time. I am not sure that could really be done (if something is worth doing it takes some patience and effort!) and wonder if it might give some readers unrealistic expectations for themselves. That said ... I know I'll still be getting copies for our library. http: //www.msoreadsbooks.com/2011/01/kylie-jean-rodeo-queen.html-- "Ms. O Reads Books Blog"
Self-assured, chatty Kylie Jean declares, "I'm going to be a beauty queen. Just you wait and see!" Yet the eight-year-old Texan sets her sights on another title after dreaming that she's been named rodeo queen. Ruling out rope tricks and bull riding, she opts to enter the barrel-racing competition in the upcoming Wild West Rodeo, and she is tickled when her grandfather gives her a pony, one grandmother agrees to train her, and her other grandmother buys her a shirt and boots--pink to match her favorite cowboy hat. Kylie Jean's success at the rodeo is predictable, but her good nature, as well as that of her family ("If you promise to never get on a bull again, I promise to figure out a better plan for you," Kylie Jean's uncle says after her disastrous stint on a mechanical bull) offset the slightness of the story. Picturing the heroine with an oversize head and spindly limbs, Mourning's b&w cartoons, accented with pink washes, feel cheerful and fresh. Available simultaneously: Kylie Jean, Blueberry Queen; Kylie Jean, Drama Queen; and Kylie Jean, Hoop Queen. Ages 6-9. (Feb.)-- "Publisher's Weekly"
What made me smile: The instant I saw the cover I got a smile on my face. She is an adorable eight year old. The book was written simply enough for a new chapter reader to read but had a few challenge words that makes an older reader keep interest. Kylie Jean kept the suspense through the whole book as she stumbled from one problem to the next. Not only did she learn to deal with let downs and the bright side, the book teaches kids good etiquette. Ms. Peschke is a children's librarian and I thought the whole book was made just for a little girl to pick up and love. She has really put a lot of thought about keeping a child's interest while reading into this book. The illustrations by Tuesday Mourning were fabulous. They really captured the storyline well. I also loved the fact that there was a glossary at the end of the book for words that everyone might not know. It also features a book talk page to talk about the book with parents after the child is done. Best of all? The recipe included! What didn't work for me: The only thing negative was ......Nothing! I loved this book. Well other than the fact that I can't buy them for my daughter until after Christmas. In Summary: If you have a young girl who is learning to read, pick up this book. If your young reader liked "Fancy Nancy" or "Pinkalicous" she's sure to love Kylie Jean who loves everything pink! I can't wait to pick up this or any of the other Kylie books that are due out in January. Author Information: I couldn't find out much about the author other than she is a elementary librarian and loves to write. If anyone knows of a website, please let me know. This book gets an impressive 7 family thumbs up out of 7 The reviews expressed in this review are entirely my own. This book was shared with me by Capstone through NetGalley and I received no compensation for this review. http: //familyreads.blogspot.com/2010/11/kylie-jean-rodeo-queen.html-- "Good Family Reads"