Follow Charm and Dawn, twin sisters as different as they are fabulous, on their new school adventure and as they discover the importance of embracing our individualities and making our own decisions.
Table of Contents
Review
Journey with Dawn and Charm, sisters who are as close as they are different, through a lesson about embracing change and making our own choices.
Despite being twins, Dawn and Charm are as different as can be. They lead a joyous life on a farm with their parents, their own secret language, and their animal companions. However, their world is turned upside down when their parents decide it’s time for them to attend school. The sisters are far from thrilled, especially when the school’s principal, Mrs. Osa, separates them into different classrooms. This sudden change sets them on a journey of self-discovery, where they learn that making different choices doesn’t have to mean parting ways with their loved ones. The Soul Sistas Go To School!: (Too Cool for School?) is a children’s book by Newton Vanriel and illustrated by Monique Ra Brent that explores identity.
The first brilliant asset of this book is as evident as it is crucial: the message that families take different forms. The sisters love each other and see themselves as twins, even when one is Black and the other is a fair-skinned redhead. The colorful and lively illustrations by Monique Ra Brent make this clear even if one has not read the first installment of the series. Not highlighting this explicitly is a clever decision since it emphasizes how the sisters think about each other without giving any importance to their physical differences.
The second asset worth highlighting is the importance Vanriel places on diversity. In this book, we have, besides the two twins, a boy from India, a boy from China, and a “big” boy. I really liked how Vanriel didn’t stop at racial diversity and went the extra mile to include Jim, who is bigger than the rest of his friends.
It needs to be said over and over again: representation matters. For kids and adults alike, seeing someone like them in books and media makes them know they have a place in the world. The author also perfectly understands that representation is not just about including someone “different” (what is different, anyway?) but about creating a whole literary environment that fosters inclusivity and acceptance.
The book is full of other valuable lessons centered on identity and self-acceptance. I especially liked how the sisters rocked their funky outfits to the school dance, even when their classmates laughed. The story also reminds us not to judge people based on appearance. I particularly liked how Vanriel showed how contradictory we can be, as shown in the way the sisters react to meeting Raj and Ken.
Newton Vanriel uses narrative tools that make this book engaging and help little readers develop language skills. There’s the inclusion of a bit of Spanish in the principal’s name, the use of rhyme, proven to enhance language development and memory, and the sisters’ secret language, which consists of words spelled backward. Kids will have a blast trying to decipher it while exercising their brains, or they might even come up with a language of their own.
The editing of the book needs polishing. I always highlight the importance of flawless editing in children’s books since young ones actively learn grammar and spelling from our example. This is an easily solvable problem.
The Soul Sistas Go To School is an excellent read for elementary-school-age kids. Caregivers and parents of adopted little ones will find an invaluable tool in this book and the whole series. I would say that this book is especially apt for those kids who feel a little out of place, but perhaps it is even more so for those who have no trouble fitting in since we need them to open their arms to awesome, different kids like Charm and Dawn.
About the Author
Newton’s journey as a storyteller began in his teenage years, fueled by a profound love for poetry and the spoken word. This passion blossomed into a successful career, leading to his books, The Adventures of the Soul Sistas and The Soul Sistas Go To School.
Beyond his literary pursuits, Newton has expressed his dedication to devote much of his life to making a positive impact in his community. He has worked as a fundraiser and shared his love for soccer by coaching for eight years. His commitment to service extends to volunteering with numerous nonprofits throughout Ontario, which also demonstrates his intent to helping others.
Now, with their children grown and having raised a family of their own, Newton and his wife of over thirty years are embracing the next chapter of their lives as empty nesters. They reside in the charming town of Pickering, Ontario, where Newton continues to weave tales to inspire and resonate with readers far and wide.
Book Details
- Title: The Soul Sistas Go To School!: (Too Cool for School?)
- Author: Newton Vanriel
- Genre: Children’s Illustrated Book
- Theme: Diversity, Inclusion, Acceptance, Change
- Publication Date: June 27, 2024
- ISBN or ASIN: B0D888K2MF
- Number of Pages: 44
- Minimum Audience Age: 6
Book Themes
(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)
- Sexual themes: 0
- Religious themes: 0
- Violence, self-harm, etc.: 0
- Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 0
- Other adult themes: 0
Children’s Book Features
- Good role models for younger ones: Yes
- Moral values: Yes
- Good social manners: Yes
- Age-appropriate language and topics: Yes
- Age-appropriate illustrations: Yes
- Gained the approval of a licensed educator or professionals in a relevant field: Yes
- Based on scientifically-proven data or similar information: Not specified by the author
- Produced through industry-standard research processes: Not specified by the author
- Other relevant information:
Rating
- Content: 5 stars
- Writing Style: 5 stars
- Appeal to Target Audience: 5 stars
- Uniqueness: 5 stars
- Editing: 4 stars
- Other factors: 5 stars
- Overall: 4.8 out of 5
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Your review brings a lot of interesting characters and appears to be an upbeat story!
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