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I\m back this morning with a new children’s book Polly Diamond and the Topsy-Turvy Day: Book 3 by Alice Kuipers (Author), Diana Toledano (Illustrator) I received in exchange for this review once you finish reading my review also check out Polly and the Magic Book which is part of the Polly Diamond books. I need to get book two Polly Diamond and the Super Stunning Spectacular School Fair: Book 2. Then invite my niece over for a sleep-over and we can read the books together.
I was cleaning my desk and I saw Polly Diamond and the Topsy-Turvy Day: Book 3 sitting on my shelf. I moved the book to continue writing but found myself glancing at the cover over and over. I wanted to know what made it a topsy-turvy day and before I knew it I had opened the book and found myself reading the story.
Before I share my thoughts with you, I love that the cover is done in pink with cute shapes and a pretty little girls with blue/ green glasses I liked. Charlie pointed out the flying Unicorn or Pegasus my niece Lily would have liked. I liked the flower, and everything being done in blue that can be colored which is the perfect addition to our Homeschool Art Class
The little girl wakes up upside down making everything topsy-turvy. She grabs her magic book or journal and writes inside it. Anything she writes comes true. Then what she writes in the magic book answers her. She heads downstairs and her dad and brother are here. Her and her dad like using funny words. Do you?
Her dad teaches her about hyphens which Charlie can study in his homeschool language arts class. Today at school she gets a pet. She writes about a Pangolin and no, I am not going to tell you what it is. You need to pick up a copy of Polly Diamond and the Topsy-Turvy Day: Book 3 to find out. Before school she reads and writes a poem. Would you like to do? this?
We meet Trixie who thinks the class pet might be a Turtle. What do you think? More friends arrive. Their teacher isn’t here. They have a substitute who lets them know they will be getting a Hamster. We learn about nocturnal which Charlie can study in class. We learn about word streaks and if you don’t know what they are you will need to pick up a copy of the book to find out.
How about a simile? We get to pet the hamster and she remember what a adjective is which we can study in language arts. Then it’s to the library and Shaylene is their teacher and she would like a Toy Dog. We learn about myths like a Pegasus. Then cliche. We see Mr. Love who reminds the kids of an Owl. Don’t ask me why. You will need to read the book to find out.
She mentions an author Esmerelda Rock is she real or fictional? I don’t know you will need to do some research to find out. Now, I am not going to tell you what else happens because I want you to read Polly Diamond and the Topsy-Turvy Day: Book 3 with your children and make sure you pick up the other books in the series which is perfect for Middle School children although children of all ages can learn through this book.
One aspiring writer plus one magic book. It all adds up to a whole lot of trouble.
Polly Diamond is back in the third book about the magical mix-ups of Polly and her notebook, Spell!
In this delightfully funny and magical chapter book series, Polly and Spell have all kinds of adventures together because whatever Polly writes in Spell comes true! But when they join forces to help get the best class pet ever, they get more than they bargained for. Can Polly come up with the right words to save the day?
EVERYDAY MAGIC: A creative mashup of relatable family and school life with just a dash of magic make this series a hit with early chapter book readers.
A RELATABLE PROTAGONIST: Polly isn’t perfect but when she makes mistakes, she always sets things right. And she is the perfect sister, friend, and classmate.
INSPIRES A LOVE OF BOOKS: Kids will love Polly and adults will love that Polly inspires a love of reading. Filled with book lists, these books will have readers searching the shelves for Polly’s favorite titles.
GREAT FOR CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOL LIBRARIES: The reading lists, writing prompts, school setting, and class pet element make this a perfect classroom choice.
AN EASY PICK FOR NEWLY INDEPENDENT READERS: With lots of action, fun friendships, and enticing pictures to bring the text to life, this series is perfect for emerging readers.
Praise for Polly Diamond and the Magic Book:
“A delight from start to finish.”—Booklist, starred review
“Think Gooney Bird and Judy Moody rolled into one.”—School Library Journal
“An enchanting adventure of magic and mishaps.”—Kirkus Reviews
A Junior Library Guild selection
Perfect for:
- Fans of the Ivy + Bean, Amelia Bedelia, Yasmin, and Dory Fantasmagory series
- Parents, caregivers, educators, and librarians seeking elementary school chapter books and fantasy books for kids
- A great classroom gift
Once you finish reading my review also check out Polly and the Magic Book which is part of the Polly Diamond books.
About the Author
I’m a YA and picture book author of four young adult novels and two picture books for young children.
Find me here: www.alicekuipers.com
My first novel, Life on the Refrigerator Door, was published in 28 countries, won several awards and was named as a New York Times book for the Teen Age. My second is called Lost For Words in the US, and The Worst Thing She Ever Did everywhere else. It won the Arthur Ellis Award, was shortlisted for the White Pine and Willow Awards, and was published in eight territories. 40 Things I Want To Tell You is the YA book I published in 2012. My newest novel for young adults is called The Death of Us. The Best-Ever Bookworm Book by Violet and Victor Small is my first picture book, with Little, Brown. A sequel will follow.
I’ve had non-fiction published in Easy Living Magazine, the Sunday Telegraph and the Bristol Review of Books; several short stories turned into radio productions; and one short story which was used to inspire a short film. I won the LG award in Saskatchewan for most promising artist under 30, when I was under 30, not soooo long ago.
Here are the answers to the questions I’m asked most frequently:
Where do you work? How much do you write a day?
I have an office in my house in Saskatoon and my desk is always messy. I try and read everyday and I always write when I have some childcare in place (Mondays to Thursday). I flit between hanging out with the children and writing furiously for a couple of hours. Barbara Kingsolver, who has two children, said something along the lines of ‘I don’t have time for writer’s block.” I keep that in mind.
Where do you get your ideas?
I read as much as I can and I think ideas often come subconsciously from the books I’m reading, from paintings I’ve seen, from bits of overheard conversation. My best ideas sneak into my head when I’m not trying too hard to find them. This makes me believe that napping is essential! There have been lots of times when I’m drifting off to sleep that an idea slithers into my mind.
How long does it take to write a book?
It depends. Some of my books have taken years and years, others have been easier to write and so taken less time. Rewriting is a big part of the process for me, so even if a first draft went on the page relatively quickly, the rewriting seems to take ages.
How did you find a publisher?
I feel very lucky to have good publishers. For me, finding a publisher involved lots of rejection letters and lots of waiting around. I had to write many many things, I had to learn lots about writing better, and I had to let go of the idea that being published was the most important part of writing. Once I let that go and truly, honestly wrote only for myself, it seemed that the stuff I wrote was better, and then people wanted to publish it.
If you have any other questions, drop me a line on Facebook or Twitter, or ‘Leave me a note’ on my website and I’ll do my best to answer.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
