*AD – please note we were gifted this book for the purpose of this review
Arabella and the Magic Pencil by Stephanie Ward
Illustrated by Shaney Hyde
Children’s Fiction
32 pages
EK Books
Age range: 4-8 Years
This Sunday, 31st May, is Brother and Sisters Day in the UK. Which is great timing to review the book Arabella and the Magic Pencil by Stephanie Ward. Arabella and the Magic Pencil is a really lovely story about the relationship between siblings.
Or, perhaps more specifically, having a younger sibling that’s annoying. This subject is probably one that my two older children can definitely identify, I actually think Arabella’s description of her brother as ‘he was a master of mayhem’ could equally be used to describe their younger brother Bo too. As well as ‘An expert of ear-splitting acoustics.’ They know just what it’s like to have a little brother come into their lives and turn it upside down. So this was definitely a book for them.
Arabella is a Princess and has pretty much everything she wants. Each year she can make one magical wish. But the one thing she didn’t wish for was a baby brother. I’m sure you can imagine the reaction to this new arrival. It’s all dealt with is a very light-hearted and entertaining way. But then one day Arabella does something very unkind…
It’s sweet take on sibling rivalry and the explaining the feelings children have when dealing with a naughty and frustrating younger brother or sister. It’s funny, but also gently educational and Aria who is the closest to her younger brother chuckled in all the right places. It takes you on the journey to understanding the annoyances, but realising you love your sibling anyway.
The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous! Some of my favourite I have seen in a book in a long time. So pretty and colourful, I loved them and they complemented the story perfectly.
Verdict:
A beautiful book perfect for a child who is about to become a sibling, or one who sometimes struggles with a younger sibling’s behaviour. Move of my older two children loved it and told me it needed 5 stars!
Rating: 5/5
Buy the book on Amazon (affiliate link)
Giveaway
If you would like to get your hands on a copy of this beautiful book, then I have one to giveaway to one lucky reader. Simply enter your details below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway*Terms and conditions: Entries are open to UK residents only. The competition closes on the the 19th June 2020. Winners will be announced on social media and contacted via email. If the winner does not respond to the email in two weeks, a new winner will be randomly chosen. Due to current pandemic, please allow extra time for delivery.
No, not at all 🙂
no never has been
No!
Yes – but always short lived
Sometimes…
yes, big style we have had probblems with our young brother and sister, usually over who does what first, something as simple as passing the salt can turn into a war
No , not really
No chance here! We have an only child.
II am not sure if I would call it rivalry but, yes, something along those lines.
Same here but I’m not sure if that will change as they get older!
Sometimes, I think you get it in most families
Sometimes on and off!
at times
A little bit, they compete the be the “best behaved, good” kid!
No, only have one x
At the moment the answer would have to be nope
Only have one child so no.
Sometimes yes.
No, it isn’t
Sometimes.
sometimes but its been worse since this virus lark started so ive had to separate them into different rooms during the day to stop them from arguing but i think most families will have a bit of that. i remember arguing with my siblings like cat and dog lol x
My daughters get on really well
Sometimes xx
Its a problem some of the time with my grandchildren but generally they get on well
A little bit, but it’s usually forgotten about minutes later x
Happily no!
It can be at times, but the age difference is large enough that they’re not really competing a lot xx
Yes occasionally they are, they’re quite young
Not presently.
No not at all x
This looks a really great book. My grandchildren totally get the ‘annoying sibling syndrome’ lol.
Thanks for sharing
#KLTR
Nope as my daughter is an only child! However when she sees her cousins they are very close and end up fighting like sisters
Occasionally, but having 8 children between 8months – 15years I would expect nothing less!
Sometimes, thankfully they get on well most of the time but they do argue too. I don’t believe anyone who says their children never argue!
Fortunately not, they have always got on together
I’ve had no rivalry with any of my kids but I bet my Mum would have loved this when my baby brother was born…oh I was a princess and I so DID NOT WANT a baby brother, lol.
Nope, never had that problem. Thanks for the competition.
Thankfully not! It’s very rare there is a falling out.
Yes can be through sharing items.
No not at all
No not really…. I’ve only had to call UN peacekeeping forces out 6 times so far, I’m seriously thinking of adopting Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, Vladimir Putin & Donald Trump when coronavirus is over as there’s be far less chance of World War 3 breaking out!
Fortunately we have no problem of sibling rivalry.
No, thank goodness.
sometimes. It could be over the silliest little things too.
Yes as we was growing up but as we have got older no we all seem to be much closer.
No, not overly. They have their moments, but nothing major.
Sometimes, it was always going to happen with 2 boys!
Nothing to noticeable at the moment. I hope that won’t change as they get older!
Too!
Yes, it definitely has been, although being forced to spend so much time together over the past months has massively helped!
Sometimes even thoughg there is 6 years between my two boys
no it’s not.
Dont have two kids yet just one but hoping to add a second next year
My grandchildren get on really well together most of the time as long as they are getting lots of attention!
No!
no
Yes definitely with my children and now my grandchildren
occasionally but I have 2 children with autism so they tend to do their own thing
No luckily! x
Occasionally!!
Oh yes!!
This looks very whimsical! K x