Good morning, I wanted to share a new children’s book with you. Maurice is written by Jessixa Bagley. I received a copy of Maruice in exchange for a review on my website. The thoughts in this review are mine and my families no, one else.
As soon as I learned about Maurice, I knew it was a story I not only had to read but to share with Charlie. If you know Charlie at all you know he loves anything to do with Dogs. Charlie also loves Music of all kinds. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day Charlie doesn’t actually decide to go ahead and learn a instrument because in the past he wanted to learn to play a Guitar. LORD help us.
I started to open the book up this morning but kept getting stopped by the illustrations on the cover. I loved the light pole and the outside Cafe. It reminded me of Paris and made me wish I could visit here as soon as possible. I like that on the streetlight it reminds us that its a bike crossing which means Charlie and I would have been able to ride our bikes through the streets. Would you like to join us?
Isn’t the dog so cute. Charlie thinks he is a Irish Setter and I said a Golden Retriever. What kind of dog do you think Maurice is and why? I crawled up on the couch into my favorite space and began to read the story. The more I got into the storyline the more I didn’t want to put the book down. Before I knew all the dogs and Charlie was sitting with me.
Charlie took the book from me and began to read the story out loud to David and the dogs. We discussed Paris which we will be studying in our Homeschool and how much his sister Suzzane loved Paris. We planned a imaginary trip to Paris and created desserts we would have had there in Charlie’s Homeschool Cooking Class.
I love how reading the story will remind you to be kind and that LOVE can and will open doors for everyone. I did get a little sad at one point of the book and no, I am not going to tell you why because I want you to read this book for yourself as well as share it with the children in your lives. As well as anyone who love animals and Paris.
The winning personality of Corduroy meets the fable-like storytelling of Extra Yarn in this uplifting story about a dog and his music amidst a changing Paris.
Meet Maurice: a gifted Canine who was born to share his songs with the world. Whether selling out the Palais Garnier or delighting Parisian pedestrians, music is Maurice’s love language. But time and things change, and when the world stops paying attention, those notes fall flat. . . .
This transcendent journey of one busking Dog, who combines the power of inner strength and the gift of friendship to arrive at true self-discovery, is sure to inspire young dreamers and lift all souls in a stirring celebration of the world’s inherent beauty, welcoming all who seek it.
As readers follow Maurice through good times and bad in this beautifully illustrated children’s book, his story shows that there’s light at the end of the tunnel and even when we feel like we’re at our lowest, we still have the power to meaningfully contribute to the world.
PASSIONATE AND PRESENT: Maurice is a character who loves what he does, and the joy he gets from playing music allows him to appreciate the little things in life. Whether it’s simply saying hello to a neighbor or reveling in the world around him, his character is present and ready with a smile, showing that if we can find it within ourselves to pursue what we love, what drives us, we are able to make the world a brighter place to be.
PERENNIAL MESSAGE: Whether you’re inside your home or listening to music echoing along the streets of Paris, the world can feel like a turbulent, chaotic place. This uplifting story shows that it’s possible to weather great change and that even hard times eventually come to an end.
GORGEOUS WATERCOLOR ARTWORK: Each page of this charming book set in Paris is awash with color and details to delight the eyes and the heart. Although he’s a dog that plays the accordion, Maurice is a character almost everyone can recognize in the real world, and each scene reminds us how music like Maurice’s scores City streets, Parks, Plazas, and Markets. Readers young, old, and in between will love this fresh, deeply felt story about those members of Society we may forget to appreciate despite their impact on us all.
REASSURING MESSAGE: Inevitably in life, there are moments of loneliness and sadness. This story comforts young readers by showing them that, even when we feel alone and forgotten, there is always an audience and a community that will listen and accept us. All we have to do is share ourselves with those around us.
Perfect for:
- Dog lovers and music lovers
- Parents and grandparents seeking kids’ books about music, generosity, empathy, and community
- Teachers and librarians to add to their picture book collection for toddler, preschool, and early readers
- Fans of such classics as Madeline, The Story of Ferdinand, and Where the Wild Things Are
About the Author
Jessixa Bagley grew up in Portland, OR. Upon graduating college with a BFA in painting and printmaking, she decided to follow her childhood dreams of being picture book maker. Her professional career has been steeped in comics, fine art, and illustration. Jessixa’s love of books and storytelling are inspired by classic storybooks and her childhood experiences in the Pacific Northwest.
Her debut picture book, Boats for Papa, earned many accolades and awards including a Fall 2015 Junior Library Guild Selection, the SCBWI 2016 Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book Text as well the 2016 Washington State Scandiuzzi Children’s Book Award. Her picture book, Laundry Day, was not only a Junior Library Guild Selection for Fall 2016 but it also received a 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award for Writing. She loves hamburgers and making things out of cardboard. She lives in Seattle, WA her husband, son, and a slew of houseplants that all have names.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
