Violet Mackerel's remarkable recovery

Review by Booklist Review

Violet Mackerel is informed by Dr. Singh who, disappointingly, is not a singing doctor that she must have her tonsils removed. Though a tad daunted, she likes the thought that her voice might be different when the operation is finished hopefully opera-singer different. This follow-up to Violet Mackerel's Brilliant Plot (2012) retains all the charm and tenderness that made the first book such a treat and a welcome addition to books for early chapter-book readers. The illustrations, which sometimes work in place of the text, emphasize the story's whimsical nature. Children facing their own trip to the hospital will find comfort in Violet's experience, which is approached realistically yet gently.--Dean, Kara Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 2-4-Violet Mackerel has to have her tonsils out and her doctor gives her lozenges to soothe her throat until the surgery. This leads the irrepressible heroine to "The Theory of Giving Small Things," in which she postulates, "If someone has a problem and you give them something small like a feather, or a pebble, or a purple lozenge, that small thing might have a strange and special way of helping them." Violet hopes that after the operation she will have the voice of an opera singer. Meanwhile, while in the waiting room before the procedure, she makes friends with a woman who is having an operation on her arm, and Violet is able to put her theory into practice when she gives Iris a lozenge before her surgery. Violet really does have a remarkable recovery as she recuperates while enjoying a variety of ice-cream flavors. This early chapter book, featuring pencil illustrations, will be a hit with fans of Amber Brown and Clementine.-Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Horn Book Review

Violet (Violet Mackerel's Brilliant Plot, rev. 9/12) has had sore throats before, but this time is different -- it feels like a cactus is in her throat, and Dr. Singh's purple lozenges can't make it better. Violet is worried about getting her tonsils removed, even with promises of ice cream. But when the doctor casually mentions the fact that some people's voices change after their tonsillectomies, Violet's fear turns to curiosity, and she convinces herself that she will now become an opera singer. Young readers will identify with her nerves and laugh at her description of feeling rhinoceroses in her belly rather than butterflies. We also find out where Violet got her name and learn that she is very good at inventing lyrics for "My Favorite Things" and making new friends. Violet's kind, patient mother shines in the story, as Branford once again creates a warm world for Violet, one in which the protagonist's optimism spreads to others without any hint of the saccharine. Many new readers will identify with the story, enjoy the accessible vocabulary, and appreciate the expressive illustrations (final art not seen) that grace almost every spread. robin l. smith (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

Violet Mackerel makes a new friend while waiting for her tonsillectomy and cements that friendship by singing on the radio. The young star of Violet Mackerel's Brilliant Plot (2012) returns with a sore throat. Dr. Singh advises an operation, cautioning that "some people find that their voices change a little bit after they have their tonsils out." Violet spins this into a fantasy of becoming an opera singer, which she shares with a friendly woman she meets in the hospital waiting room. Recovering afterward, she worries that they might not find each other to have their promised post-recovery tea, but through a series of coincidences and her own new verses to "My Favorite Things," she does. Like its predecessor, this early chapter book focuses on small moments and small things--the purple lozenge Violet gets from Dr. Singh and passes on to Iris Macdonald, the butterflies that feel more like rhinoceroses in their stomachs, the many possible flavors of ice cream for the recovery period. The large coincidence in the end reminds readers that worlds are small, satisfyingly concluding another volume in a successful Australian series. Allen's grayscale drawings (not seen in final form) both support and add appeal. This agreeable account should attract new Violet Mackerel followers. (Fiction. 5-9)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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Violet Mackerel has an extremely sore throat. It feels awful to talk, terrible to swallow, and horrible to eat. Her older sister, Nicola, and her brother, Dylan, have just left for school. Violet has been home from school all week, and today Mama is taking her to see Dr. Singh. Violet quite likes Dr. Singh because he asks good questions, such as "Would you like to hear your heartbeat through my stethoscope?" and "Do you want to see how my examination table goes up and down?" Also, if you meet him for the first time when you are only five years old, and you wonder, since his name sounds like "sing," if he might be a singing sort of doctor, he doesn't mind making up a little tune such as: When Violet and Mama get to the doctor's office, they sit in the waiting room. Mama knits a few rows of a soft, rosy cardigan. She is a very good knitter. Soon the lady at the desk says, "Violet Mackerel," which means it is time for Violet and Mama to go and see Dr. Singh. "How are you this morning?" he asks, feeling her forehead. "My throat hurts," croaks Violet, "and it feels as if there is a cactus in it." Dr. Singh presses a big, flat Popsicle stick on her tongue. "Say ahhhh," he says. "Ahhhh," says Violet. "And again," says Dr. Singh. "Ahhhh," says Violet. "Hmm," says Dr. Singh, who has been looking down Violet's throat. "I'm afraid that's a bad case of tonsillitis." Violet has had tonsillitis before. It is when two bits at the back of your throat, which are called tonsils, swell up and feel as though you have swallowed a cactus. "I'll give you some lozenges for now, to help with the prickles," says Dr. Singh, "but I think it would be a good idea to have your tonsils taken out." Violet, however, does not think this is a good idea. She generally prefers not to have things taken out. "It's a very simple operation," explains Dr. Singh, "and you'll be asleep all the way through it. And then you'll need a while at home afterward, resting and eating ice cream." Violet has never been in the hospital before and she quite likes ice cream. "Anything else?" she asks. Dr. Singh thinks. "Well," he says, "some people find that their voices change a little bit after they have their tonsils out." This is very interesting to Violet, who always thinks about singing when she sees Dr. Singh, even though she knows now that he is not really a singing sort of doctor. Violet thinks how exciting it would be if, when she was singing in the bath, her voice carried down into the garden and all the way along the street. The neighbors would say, "Who is doing that lovely opera singing?" and Mama would say, "Oh, that is Violet. She always sings like that since she had her tonsils out and soon she is going to be a real opera singer on the radio." "How soon could I be an opera singer on the radio?" croaks Violet. "Well, most people feel completely better in a couple of weeks," says Dr. Singh. "I'm not sure about opera singing, but I have certainly seen some remarkable recoveries in my time." Violet decides that hers will be the most remarkable recovery Dr. Singh has ever seen in his time. "Until then," he says, "would you like pink throat lozenges that taste like strawberries, or purple throat lozenges that taste like grapes?" Violet thinks it is an excellent question. "Purple, please," she says. Dr. Singh pops open a packet of lozenges and gives one to Violet so it can start soothing her throat prickles right away. The purple lozenge looks like a precious crystal in her palm. And it gives Violet an idea. Excerpted from Violet Mackerel's Remarkable Recovery by Anna Branford All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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