Title: AMIE’S PARTY
https://www.moodbears.co.uk/Mainshop
Series: THE MOOD BEARS
http://www.moodbears.co.uk
Author: IAIN LAUCHLAN
Illustrator: NIK AFIA
http://www.nikafia.com
Release Date: AUGUST 4, 2022
Genre: CHILDREN’S FICTION
Number Of Pages: 32
Publisher: CHERISH EDITIONS
Received From: NETGALLEY
Rating: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐
****************************
DESCRIPTION:
It’s another peaceful day in the village for the Mood Bears – until Happy Bear spots a yellow cloud on the horizon and knows someone needs her help.
The cloud takes Happy Bear to Amie, who feels lonely and sad after moving to a new flat far away from her friends. She has no one to celebrate her birthday with her, either.
So, Happy Bear throws a party for Amie’s big day and invites some very special guests to remind her that she is never alone.
****************************
MY REVIEW:
If you look at my first name and the way it is spelled, you will realize why I chose this children’s book to #ReadAndReview It is exceptionally rare to find a book (or anything else) with my name (Amie) spelled correctly.
Upon first reading of the book, I was introduced to the Mood Bears. They seem to be a UK updated version of the Care Bears that were popular here in Canada for many years and in fact seem to still be going strong. The major difference seems to be that the Mood Bears books and stuffed animals are sold as a way to make money for children’s charity whereas the Care Bears are strictly for making profit.
Amie’s Party is not just an entertaining story, although it very much is entertaining. The story talks about some very serious issues that children often need to face. One of those issues is the fact that Amie’s parents have split up and because of that, Amie and her mother move from their house into an apartment which is a very big change to Amie’s life. Children who, like Amie, experience the divorce of their parents, and/or a housing change, often suffer in silence. This book validates their experience and helps them to feel less alone.
“According to ONS figures from 2018, 1 in 10 children “often” feel lonely in the UK.”
Because of their move, Amie has moved away from all her friends and because of their financial changes Amie understands that there just isn’t any money for a fancy birthday party. She doesn’t know anyone in her new neighborhood, so who would she invite anyway?
This is when the Mood Bears come in and ensure that Amie has a great birthday party. They even invite a few of the children around her age who live in her apartment building, thus introducing Amie to a bunch of potential new friends.
This book is beautifully illustrated and written with sensitivity towards children’s mental health. This is a subject that most children’s books avoid.
In addition, the Mood Bears have a website where stuffed Mood Bears are available to buy.
What I love the most about this book and about the plush bears is that a portion of the proceeds go to the mental health charity SHAWMIND.
I rate AMIE’S PARTY as 4 out of 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
*** Thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book. ***
****************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
****************************
ABOUT THE MOOD BEARS:
****************************
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER:
****************************
****************************
TWITTER
@Shawmind_
@cherisheditions
@MoodBears
@literallypr
@Nik_Afia
@triggerhub_
INSTAGRAM
@themoodbears
@cherisheditions
@shawmind_
@literallypr
@nik_afia01
@triggerhub_
FACEBOOK
http://www.facebook.com/cherisheditions
http://www.facebook.com/shawmindUK
http://www.facebook.com/moodbears.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Literally-PR/342794935782744
https://m.facebook.com/100063590700523
https://www.facebook.com/nikafiaillustration
https://www.facebook.com/triggerhub.org
Amie's Book Reviews 