Can’t Wait Willow! Ideals Children’s Books, a Review

Can't-Wait Willow! from Ideals Children's Books from Ideals Books on Vimeo.

  I was excited to be able to review Can’t Wait Willow! from Ideals Children’s Books. The idea is that Willow will be faced with challenges and be unable to wait, and learn a lesson.

My son, even though he is 12, did like the book, and we enjoyed reading it.

However, there are a few weird parts to the book. She is a very young girl leaving her home and walking through town on the way to the circus, alone, with a pocket full of money. She spends all of her money and spends time all over town so she misses the circus and the cotton candy that she desired. 

Then a man gives her a free ticket for the show the next day.

She gets to return to the show the next day with a new pocketful of money, buys two packages of cotton candy, is rewarded with a front row seat and gets to ride the elephant.

My son teased that he thinks the lesson is, spend your money how you want and someone will give you everything if you look sad enough. I sort of wondered where the parents were, and why the parents would let her return again alone the next day to meet the man. He turns out to be the ringmaster, but still, sort of weird.

That aside, the book is fun to read and the illustrator did a great job, I enjoyed the graphics.

If you are struggling in this area, as we are with my youngest son, this might be a great book to get to help facilitate the conversation of missing out because you spent your time and money on the good, instead of what you really wanted.

About Shine Bright Kids:

The Shine Bright Kids series provides children and their families with a relevant framework to help instill solid values and teach the importance of making good choices. The series teaches principles including: using good judgment, taking responsibility, self-control, having a positive attitude, and demonstrating perseverance.  Check out their website at www.ShineBrightKids.com for free reward charts, activities and other parenting resources.

About the Author: 

Christy Ziglar, financial planner, mother of twins and niece of legendary motivator and the world’s original optimist, Zig Ziglar, is bringing the same timeless wisdom and ageless advice to an entirely new, younger audience through her new Shine Bright Kids picture book series. 

Christy is available for Q&A, author interviews, Skype calls, etc.!

The first book in the series:  Can't-Wait Willow!

Willow is so excited that the Over-the-Top Circus has finally come to town! The only problem is, that when left to her own devices, she can’t say “no” to some good things. On the way to the show, she is distracted by enticing treats and fun that she just can’t turn down. Willow arrives late and is sad to find that, not only has she has run out of time, but money, and she won’t be able to enjoy the pink cotton candy she’s been dreaming of. Willow is given valuable advice and a second chance and is ultimately taught the lesson that sometimes in life you have to say “no” to good things to end up with something great!