Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In the second Hannah Sparkles book, Mellom's protagonist has first grade all figured out: "I imagined it like this: side by side with my best friend, Sunny Everbright, laughing and working." In reality, Sunny is seated across the room, so Hannah is on her own. Talking enthusiastically about her interests and offering an unbidden hug doesn't seem to engage the other students. When she confides in Sunny at recess, her friend suggests that she try "listening and watching" rather than talking and sharing, and time in her classroom's "refill station" gives Hannah a moment to recenter. Brantley-Newton creates a welcoming school environment filled with cozy nooks, while the heroine exudes personality. Mellom sensitively conveys how school brings with it important, unexpected social lessons. Ages 4--8. (June)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--Hannah Sparkles and her best friend, Sunny Everbright, are about to begin first grade. Though Hannah prides herself on being "the type of girl who can make friends with anybody," she encounters unexpected difficulty in connecting with her new classmates. The other students aren't interested in glitter pens, butterfly nets, or cheers, but with a little help from her pal Sunny, and their classroom's "refill station," Hannah learns that being a good friend means watching and listening and allowing her soon-to-be friends to take the lead. Hannah Sparkles is perpetually optimistic, energetic, and unwaveringly girly. The illustrations are brightly colored and dynamic to match. The illustrations are created with a combination of hand sketching and digital art. The human characters are depicted with a variety of expressive features, which provide readers with a good indication of how Hannah's classmates feel about her exuberant behavior. VERDICT The theme of friendship and first-day jitters will surely resonate with new students. The story introduces mindfulness as a tool even for young students and is told using primarily short sentences, suitable for reading aloud to young children or independent reading for early elementary students.--Kelly Topita, Anne Arundel County Public Library, MD
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A girl with enthusiasm to spare has some trouble making new friends at school, just as she did with a new neighbor in her eponymous debut (2017).The first few spreads showing Hannah with her family demonstrate that Hannah can be a bit much to take. She "hugs" the mail carrier around the neck from behind, and her glitter bomb doesn't go over well with her grandmother, who uses a walker. Hannah has strong opinions, and she shares them, often neglecting to listen to others. This means her first day of first grade doesn't go as she imagined. In fact, it's pretty miserable. Then Hannah's teacher encourages her to visit the "refill station," where she can have some quiet time to "Sit. Think. Refill. Then come try again." Without classmates to talk to, Hannah is forced to watch and listen, and soon she's ready to try using those skills with her new friends. While it's hard to swallow that Hannah shifts modes so easily, the idea of a refill station is one that readers can try on their own or with teacher help. Brantley-Newton's hand-sketched digital illustrations keep the focus on the characters' emotions, their faces and body language spot-on. Hannah presents white with brown hair, her class is diverse, and her teacher has light-brown skin and brown hair.Personalities don't usually change as quickly as Hannah's does, but the strategy introduced that prompts it is a sound one. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.