"Angus All Aglow" - a bookwrap

I'd like you to meet Angus. 

He adores sparkly things of all shapes and sizes and he has a story to tell.  This is a gentle story of acceptance, generosity and friendship, "Angus All Aglow" reminds us that it only takes one kind gesture to restore your sparkle, and returning the kindness can make you glow from the inside out.

Unwrapping 

"Angus All Aglow" 

Authored by Heather Smith

Illustrated by Alice Carter

Ages:  4-7

Grade Level:  PS-3

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers

Pub. Date: September 11, 2018

Unwrapping some wonderful illustrations for you

About the book

This delightful story highlights gender stereotypes, loyal friendship, celebrating differences and boosting self-esteem, all qualities that kids need to hear about these days.

Angus is an adorable little boy who happens to love all things sparkly.  He is so tuned into their beautiful auras that he hears them snap, crackle and pop.  He adores sparkly words too such as lustrous, scintillating, gleaming and his all-time favourite.... glistening.  Mmmm... mmmmm... divine!!!!

His loving Grandma June notices how much Angus admires her sparkly necklace one day while they are playing cards together and slips it off of her neck and onto his.  

"Angus felt a twinkling deep inside his belly.

It was his inner sparkle fizzy and warm.

Angus sparkled from the inside and out."  

Angus is in heaven.  The next morning he decides to celebrate his precious gift by wearing it school.  The reaction he receives from his classmates is anything but praise and adoration.  They tease and malign him making him feel ashamed and his feelings are very hurt, so much so that he loses his ability to hear and connect to the sparkles he sees around him.  Oh my!

Poor Angus.  Will he ever recover from the ridicule and meanness that was bestowed upon him by his unkind peers? 

Luckily one friend, Melody Daniels, takes it upon herself to step up and lead Angus back to happiness.  She offers him kindness and understanding and in so doing he discovers a kindred spirit in her towards all things sparkly.  The book points out that friends do exist and that friendship is a very powerful thing.  Having a wonderful, supportive friend can lift your spirits, bring enjoyment into your life and build up your confidence and self-esteem. 

I love this book and feel it should be in every classroom and school library.  It boasts a relevant, positive message and is a perfect segue into a discussion on friendship, tolerance, kindness and celebrating uniqueness.  I highly recommend this book.  

Storywraps rating -  5+++ HUGS!!!!!

Meet the author

Originally from Newfoundland, Heather Smith now lives in Waterloo, Ontario, with her husband and three children. Heather is the author of The Agony of Bun O’Keefe, which was named one of the Globe and Mail's 100 Best Books of 2017. Her debut novel, Baygirl, was a 2015 White Pine Honour Book. Heather's east coast roots inspire much of her writing.

There are so many children who NEED to read Angus All Aglow. This is a definite window and mirror book that will be necessary in classroom and libraries. I fell in love with Angus and his emotions immediately and wanted to share them with everyone. Finding someone he connects with in the end was incredibly precious and powerful. Sometimes all we need is a friend.

About the illustrator

Alice is an illustrator and storyteller with a lifelong passion for sharing her whimsical imagination. She is inspired by people watching, music and all the earth’s magnificent creatures. 

Alice is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives and creates in Ottawa,Canada and works with clients all over the world. 

Clients have included: Pajama Press,Orca Book Publishers,Chrip Magazine,The Canadian Diabeters Association, Scholastic Canada,Kayak Magazine for Kids,Homemakers Magazine,Group Media TFO,Zoocheck Canada

Forthcoming Picturebooks: Angus All Aglow, Written by Heather Smith, Illustrated by Alice Carter,published by Orca Book Publishers, available September 11, 2018 & Our New Kittens, Written by Theo Heras, Illustrations by Alice Carter,published by Pajama Press, available November 2, 2018.

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