By Linda Ravin Lodding
Flashlight Press, $16.95, 32 pages
Ernestine Buckmeister is a busy young lady. Her well-meaning parents have scheduled nearly every minute of her after school life. The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister, by Linda Ravin Lodding, is a funny story about a girl with too much to do. On Mondays she has sculpting class with Clay Lumpkin. On Tuesdays she practices water ballet with Miss Goldfisher. On Wednesdays she knits with Pearl Stitcher. On Thursdays she plays the tuba with Mr. Oompah. On Fridays she yodels with Little Old Lady Who and her weekends are filled with karate and yoga practice! Ernestine has no time to play. One day she decides to make her own schedule. She drags her nanny to the park and together they make daisy chains, build a fort, and have fun in nature. Hilarity ensues when Ernestine’s parents search for her, visiting the locations of each of their daughter’s lessons. Will they ever realize why Ernestine always seems so frazzled? Parents and children will appreciate the lesson that there should be balance in life – time for lessons and time for playing. Suzanne Beaky’s acrylic illustrations are masterful and truly enjoyable. Each page holds new details to discover. This book is bound to become a family favorite.
Reviewed by Kathryn Franklin
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