Natalie Really Very Much Wants to Be a Star

Natalie Really Very Much Wants to Be a Star by Dani Daley Mackall is the third book in the "That's Nat!" series. These chapter books are unique in that they are thinner (this one is 93 pages of large text) and have more illustrations than many other chapter books, making them ideal read-to books for kids ready to move away from picture books, and great reading for children whose reading skills are growing.

In this installment, five year old Nat discovers her Sunday school class is putting on a Christmas play for the entire congregation. Nat is sure she'll grow up to be a movie star, and covets the role of Mary. She doesn't just want the part. No, Nat thinks she needs the part. When Nat's Sunday school teacher says she has a special announcement, Nat thinks:

"I LOVE 'nouncements! 'Nouncements are when you know something other people don't. And you tell them. And they say 'Ah!' or 'Wow!' 'Nouncements could be telling you that you are going to Disneyland. Like, 'I have a 'nouncement! We will all be going to Disneyland for Sunday school.' Or, it can be other stuff. Like, 'I have a 'nouncement. This year, Christmas will not take so long to get here. And there will be more presents!'"

But Nat's Sunday school teacher announces she's cast a different girl as Mary. Nat is cast as a tree. Maybe, Nat thinks, she doesn't want to be in the play after all. And maybe the season is going to be lousy this year, all around, because Nat really needs a princess castle Christmas present, even though her parents tell her it costs as much as a refrigerator - and they've already bought a different present, anyway.

Then Nat's grandma visits and says,

"Mary's a good part all right...Of course, it's an easy part to play, being a human and all. Much more challenging to be something that's not human. Still, I think I'd rather be a tree...God talks about trees all over the Bible...There was an important tree right in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. David and the other psalmists sang about trees showing God's power and grace. There were trees clapping their hands, dancing before the Lord Almighty!"

Later, Nat wakes in the middle of the night, determined to be the best tree she can be. When performance time comes and she's busy unexpectedly dancing and clapping all over the stage, she ends up in the nativity scene. The kids playing Mary and Joseph aren't pleased, but Nat looks down on the pretend baby Jesus and is genuinely moved. She pulls palm leaves from her costume and lays one on the baby doll and the rest all around the manger. Then everyone begins clapping. Nat thinks, "Only I clap very much louder than anybody else. On account of I am clapping for Jesus."

What I Like: Mackall understands this age group perfectly. Nat is a genuine, flawed human being, struggling with such things as covetousness, envy, and pride. She's your average sweet five year old, learning how to cope with her emotions and the people around her. My not-quite four year old adores this character.

Mackall also does a great job of making Nat's Christian life realistic: Her parents get frustrated and yell when she makes them late for church, Nat confuses various Bible stories, and Nat sometimes prays with the wrong motivation. But she also clearly loves Jesus and wants to obey him.

Lys Blakeslee supplies 22 black and white illustrations for the book, and they do a great job of making us love whimsical, befuddled Nat even more.

What I Dislike: Mackall writes the "That's Nat!" books in Nat's voice; this can make them a little difficult to read out loud - at least until you get the knack of how Nat speaks. However, this particular volume has some phrasing that is so incorrect, I find myself editing as I read aloud. I don't want my daughter to pick up Nat's poor grammar. For example, Nat talks about her "bestest friend" and "favoritest things." Nat also repeatedly uses the word "stupidhead."

Overall Rating: Although this volume isn't as good as the first "That's Nat!" book, it's still enjoyable. Given the language in the book, I struggled a bit with whether to give it a "Good" or "Very Good" rating, but because it was a big hit with my daughter, I give Natalie Really Very Much Wants to Be a Star a "Very Good" rating.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but few 8 year olds want to read books about five year olds.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 978-0310715672; paperback, $4.99

Buy it Now at ChristianBook.com for $3.99

Or at Amazon.com for $4.99

Special Info: Nat mentions a Halloween costume in this book, and the idea of going to church on Sunday predominates this title. Be sure to read our reviews of other "That's Nat!" books, as well as our reviews of additional Dandi Daley Mackall titles.

Natalie and the Bestest Friend Race

It's difficult to find read-to-me or beginning reader chapter books for Christian kids, so Dandi Daley Mackall's Natalie series is most welcome in our household.

In Natalie and the Bestest Friend Race, our impish protagonist Nat tells the story of how she accidentally told her best friend Laurie's secret. In their kindergarten class, Laurie goes into what nasty Peter-the-Not-So-Great calls the "dumb" reading group. Nat tries to defend her friend, blurting out that she has dyslexia - a secret Laurie wanted kept. When Laurie learns everyone in their class knows of her reading difficulty, she's deeply hurt to find out Nat is the source of it all.

So when it comes time to pick teams for the Kindergarten Olympics, Laurie doesn't chose Nat. Instead, they end up on opposing teams. Worse, Laurie starts hanging out with Not-So-Nice Sasha.

As Nat tries to work out her feelings of guilt, sadness, and anger over her best friend no longer being her best friend, she learns she's pretty good at jumping hurdles - her sport in the Kindergarten Olympics. In fact, she's almost sure to win the hurdling competition - until Laurie falls and Nat rushes to help her. Nat blurts out a heartfelt apology, and Laurie forgives her. Nat looses the race, but she and Laurie hold hands and cross the finish line together.

Throughout, black and white illustrations by Lys Blakeslee add interest.

What I Like: Mackall is good at getting into the head of Nat; the first person prose certainly rings true. The story also gives parents and young children an excellent opportunity to talk about good sportsmanship, loyalty, and the ups and downs of friendship. And while Nat admits she doesn't understand why God would allow Laurie to have dyslexia ("This does not seem like a fair thing. And right then, right there, I whisper this to God. I hope it doesn't hurt God's feelings, but I tell him I don't like that he let Laurie have 'slexia...And I wish he hadn't made that mistake with my friend. That's what."), she also learns God never makes mistakes.

What I Dislike: I really dislike children's books that use incorrect English. Throughout, Mackall's Nat calls Laurie her "bestest friend" and at one point, Nat states that something "works pretty good."

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but most kids don't want to read about "little kids" who are younger than they are.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 978-0310715702; paperback, $4.99

Buy Now at ChristianBook.com for $3.99

OR buy at Amazon.com for $4.99

Special Info: Read our reviews of other Natalie books. Also check out our reviews of other books by Dandi Daley Mackall.

Natalie Wants a Puppy

Five year old Natalie is about to graduate kindergarten. And she's getting a puppy. Or at least that's what her sleuthing skills have revealed. Unfortunately, though, in Dandi Daley Mackall's read to me chapter book Natalie Wants a Puppy, Nat's detective skills are way off. What she's really getting is an adopted baby brother. That's definitely not as good as a puppy. In fact, Nat's not sure she likes the idea at all

When Natalie's parents hurriedly pack their bags to travel to China, leaving Natalie to stay with her grandma, Nat's throat feels "all chokey." Why do her parents have to leave her behind? Will they really come back? And, most importantly, do they still love her, or are they replacing her? She prays about it, but God's answer isn't immediately forthcoming.

Grandma, trying to soften the blow, does give Natalie a puppy, and just as her parents return home with her new baby brother, Nat reflects on her schoolwork to discover a deep truth. Nat's cat, Percy, doesn't like the new puppy and is missing. Natalie cries and tells her puppy: 

"'Percy ran away, Puppy. He thinks I love you and not him. Only that's a lying thing. I love both of you!' I know this is for true. I know that adding Puppy made me love both of them more. 'Adding means more!' I tell Puppy. 'Not less!"

And just as Natalie's parents are adding another child to the family, Nat realizes they love her more - not less - than ever.

What I Like: Mackall does a great job of getting into the head of a 5 year old. And what child can't relate to worrying about how much their parents love them? Best of all, Natalie comes to the happy conclusion that she is loved in a natural, realistic way.

What I Dislike: Nothing. Although I should note a few things that might bother other parents. The point of view in this book is Natalie's - and the author does a good job of writing similar to how a typical 5 year old speaks. This lead to some minor grammatical errors (like "bestest"), but I found my kids actually found this funny and endearing. If it bothers you, it's easy to edit out as you read aloud.

In addition, there is a section of the book where Natalie talks about not enjoying math (which leads to her realizing "adding means more"), and another where Natalie visits a friend whose older sister is bratty and mean, even saying "I hate you!" and hitting (which makes Natalie wonder if she wants a sibling at all).

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: I'd say 5 - 8.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN:  978-0310715719; paperback, 96 pgs., $4.49

Buy Now at Amazon for $4.49 Or buy at ChristianBook.com for $4.49

Special Info: Check out our reviews of other books in the Natalie series. For a similar series with a slightly more mature heroine (who speaks with better grammar), see our own Lori Z. Scott's Meghan Rose series.

Natalie and the One-of-a-Kind Wonderful Day

Most CCBR readers are familiar with Dandi Daley Mackall's rhyming picture books, but Mackall, while prolific in that genre, also writes chapter books. And Natalie and the One-of-a-Kind Wonderful Day, a lightly illustrated chapter book, is one of the finest Mackall books I've ever read. It's the first book in the "That's Nat!" series.

Natalie is a five year old who wants to do something fabulous that no one else has ever done. Yet every time she tries, things go terribly wrong. First, she tries to make purple omelets...but instead, she makes the kitchen so filthy, it takes her mother most of the morning to clean up the mess. She tries to beautify the bathroom...but only ends up making a scribbly crayon mess on the wallpaper. She tries to make her daddy some one-of-a-kind shoes...but only succeeds in ruining his church shoes. She tries to save some ants...and ends up infesting her house with them.

"Only Natalie!" her mother says over and over again, exasperated. Instead of doing something wonderful and feeling wonderful, too, Natalie feels horrible. At the end of the day, after Natalie's been sent to bed, she prays: "'I'm sorry...I don't like being Only Natalie.' I tell God under the covers. I can feel God trying to take some of that sad out of my heart. And that works a little. But there is a whole lot of sad in there..." Then Natalie's parents walk in, so Nat pretends to be sleeping. Even so, her parents say bedtime prayers without her. Her father says: "Dear God...thank you for this wonderful day you've given us. And most of all, thank you for giving us our wonderful daughter, Natalie..." Her mother agrees: "Our Nat is one of a kind, heavenly Father. Who else could make our lives so full and wonderful...Only Natalie."

"And as I float into that sleepiness, my mind whispers thanks to God for making me, Natalie...the one-of-a-kind wonderful thing. Because it turns out I really do like being...Only Natalie."

What I Like: Every preschooler can relate to Natalie and all the trouble she gets into - with the best of intentions. Mackall does an excellent job getting into the head of a five year old. My three year old loves this book, and asks me to read it to her over and over again. I also appreciate the message: Even when everything seems to go wrong and you can't do anything right, you are a one-of-a-kind wonderful person that God has made.

What I Dislike: The first chapter or so, you may find yourself tripping over the text, which is entirely written as if Natalie were talking. The words might feel a little forced, and not very five-year-old like. But as you continue reading the book, I think you'll find (as I did) you get more used to the writing, and the text sounds more and more authentic.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 4 to 8.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 0310715660; paperback; $2.99

Buy it Now from ChristianBook.com for $2.49,

OR buy it from Amazon.com for $2.99

Special Info: Read more of our reviews of Dandi Daley Mackall's books.

Natalie and the Downside-Up Birthday

What happens if the mean girl in your kindergarten class does just about everything imaginable to ruin your birthday? That's what Dandi Daley Mackall's Natalie and the Downside-Up Birthday explores, much to the delight of preschoolers and kindergartens.

Natalie - spunky, lovable, and full of faults we can all relate to, is so excited her 6th birthday is coming up. Not only is she having a birthday party at home, but she gets to have a mini party in her kindergarten classroom. But then her teacher announces she has a "birthday buddy" - none other than "Sasha-the-not-so-nice," the brattiest kid in the classroom. Sasha seems to get everything a kid could want for her birthday: Her cupcakes for the class are bigger and better than Natalie's, and she also gives out huge napkins, toys, and cookies. Nobody wants Natalie's homemade cupcakes. And then Nat discovers Sasha's at-home birthday party is the same day and at the same time as her own. And everybody seems to want to go. There will be real ponies, a bouncy house, lunch at a pizza place with lots of games, and even bowling. Who'd want to go to Natalie's ordinary birthday party?

But in the end, Nat learns she has something Sasha doesn't have. Something much better than huge purple cupcakes or pony rides. She has friends and family - and a God - who loves her.

What I Like: My daughter, who is about to turn 5, loves the Natalie books, and with her birthday coming up, she could really relate to this tale. She felt sorry for Nat, cheered Nat on, and felt happy for her in the end. Mackall really has a lovable character here, and she does a terrific job covering topics young kids relate to.

My daughter and I also appreciate that these short chapter books (this one is 95 pages) are lightly illustrated throughout with black and white drawings by Lys Blakeslee.
What I Dislike: As with all the Natalie books, sometimes in an effort to capture the voice of the young heroine, the author uses poor grammar. This is a real pet peeve for me, and I correct it as I real aloud. For example, throughout, Nat calls another character her "bestest friend" and it's not uncommon to encounter sentences like this: "I wait for them to be waked up more." I do understand that kids in this age group often speak like this, but having poor grammar in a book only encourages them to continue speaking incorrectly.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 3 - 8, but I doubt many 8 year olds would want to read about kindergarteners.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 978-0310715696; paperback, $4.99

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $4.99. Or buy as a Kindle edition from Amazon for $3.99.

OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $3.99.

Special Info: Check out our reviews of other books in this series. See also our reviews of other books by Dandi Daley Mackall.

Allister

Allister, written by Shelley L. Houston, is a fiction chapter book about the adventures of a young mouse. Allister lives in the walls of an elementary school along with a number of other mice and their families. The community follows a set of rules and has leaders who help make decisions for the safety of all.

When the story opens, Allister is determined to win a game of “Chicken” (which involves taunting and dodging a cat) to prove he is better than his peers. Although his father forbids him to play the game and warns Allister of the risks involved, Allister disobeys. Allister and his friends survive, but with injuries.

Soon other distractions arise. Allister’s family home is discovered and destroyed by humans. Another mouse family takes them in, but under the agreement that Allister’s family will be servants to the host family. Then more tragedy strikes as Allister’s family loses their home a second time and the she-mouse Allister has a crush on moves away. This makes Allister angry. However, as Allister deals with these life issues, he witnesses the faith of his parents. Despite all the misfortune in their lives, his father continually points out the Creator’s provision for them, and his mother praises the Creator for their blessings. The story closes with Allister learning about a Creator who cares about him, and about the meaning of Christmas.

This is the first book in a trilogy.

What I Like: For me, the book was reminiscent of Beverly Cleary’s The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Like Ralph, Allister takes risks and has a bit of spunk to him. He also speaks to a human, which is against the mouse rules. I also liked seeing the parent’s faith in action. I think young readers—especially those who liked Beverly Cleary’s tale—would enjoy the story. There are not many Christian fiction series available for kids in the K-2 grade range, so I was quite happy to see this one. (Others out there include series like and That’s Nat, Meghan Rose, Cul-de-sac Kids, and Circle C Beginnings.)

What I Dislike: Although the writing was entertaining, there were a few spots where the character’s point of view changed abruptly. While I liked the father, one scene early on in the book seemed out of character for his otherwise serene and trusting manner: In an intimidating way, he grabs up Allister by the scruff of his neck. Allister is also somewhat disrespectful (lying numerous times, sticking out his tongue, and disobeying his parents). Finally, when discussing the Thanksgiving holiday, a classroom student uses the word “Injun”. Although I’m sure the author didn’t intend it to be so, I found the terminology offensive.

Overall Rating: Good. I think kids would like it.

Age Appeal: None given, but I suggest grades K-2 with K as a read aloud.

Publisher Info: Just Dust Publisher, 2011; ISBN:978-0983833321; Paperback, 144 pgs., $6.99.

This book is not available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $6.99.