Nat Enough (book one in the Nat Enough series) I thought was by another author/illustrator when I first looked at it. But it is by Maria Scrivan. This was the last book I read in 2020. It was a fun way to end the year. The story is familiar (fitting in at school, friendship pains and finding yourself) but that is what made it a good end of the year read. It was cozy and no real surprises.
The ages it is aimed at (strong 8 to 12 or young 13) are going to like the friendship issue of your old best friend finding a new friend, the somewhat subtle but hurtful comments, the not-so-subtle comments, and the coming of terms with the fact that the Weird Ones have the most fun. (And not to mention Jell-O Frogs can have fun adventures too). Everything about the book is what we all face, or have faced, on some level.
Fans of Terri Libenson (author of the Emmie & Friends graphic novel series) and Jennifer L. Holm’s Sunny series will love Nat and her friends. The cover, well, covers what the look of the illustrations will be. Colorful, but not always overpowering, simple, but important details and Nat in the middle of it all. The realism of the feelings and actions of most of the characters show that we might think we are alone, but we are not. Others have faced growing up as well. There is humor and sadness, laughter, and tears. Scrivan takes us on a journey that is recognizable to both adult and the child reader.
Thank you!!1