Pages from Meet Pooky The New Kid Book
Meet Pooky The New Kid was slightly derived from my childhood growing up in the slums of Detroit and moving to Ann Arbor, where I had to learn to adapt to change and make new friends. Pooky is a second grade little African American girl from Detroit who learns to adapt to her new surroundings. She is teased because she is different in the way she looks and speaks. One day she meets a new friend who she begins to share her "African American" Detroit culture with. She begins to tell her new friends that The Most High made them all different and she learns to love the new place she is living. I took some of the events that happened in my childhood and applied it to fictional events to make the story fun for children to read. This book is geared toward k-3 grade students.
Note: I created this before coming into the truth. Changes will be made soon!
Note: I created this before coming into the truth. Changes will be made soon!
Review by Geraldine Ahearn(Author Geraldine Ahearn)
she calls it "Delightful, Entertaining and Educational"
Pooky was popular in Detroit, and played fun games with many friends. She loved the block parties on her street, running after the ice cream truck everyday, jumping rope, and singing. Her favorite games she enjoyed were hopscotch, and Hula-hoop. She didn't mind the old broken-down homes in Detroit, or playing in an abandoned house on her birthday, friendship was more important. A fun day for Pooky was getting wet with her friends as a fire hydrant sprinkled water on a hot, summer day. She will always remember the barbecues, Kool-aid drinks, sharing ice cream with King and the sound of happiness as children filled the street with skates, and shooting hoops. Then one day, Pooky and her mother moved to Ann Arbor, which instantly changed Pooky's life. What will the first day of school be like with Ms. Penny? Is Pooky laughing with her classmates, or are they laughing at her? What did Rodney tease Pooky about? Why was Sheila jealous of Pooky? How did Candy make a difference in Pooky's new lifestyle? I highly recommend this book to parents, child-care providers, and teachers. The author wrote an inspiring, educational, and uplifting story. The main character is Pooky, an adorable little girl, filled with spirit, and motivation. Domonique Mayhawk created colorful illustrations page-after-page as each character comes to life. The importance of a social life, self-esteem, and confidence blossom throughout the story. It is indeed a children's book that should sit on the library shelf, ready to be enjoyed by many children and families who moved from one location to another. Will Pooky fit in with her friends in the second-grade? Did Pooky's mother play a part in her daughter's social life? How many children liked french braids, and who braided their hair? Where did Pooky catch bees, and did she miss it? Who did Pooky go to the park with, to play on the swings, and build different sculptures in the sand? Who becomes Pooky's best friend in Ann Arbor, and does Pooky survive the traumatic transition of moving to a new world? "MEET POOKY: The New Kid" is as entertaining as Walt Disney's CHICKEN LITTLE, as delightful as SHREK THE THIRD, and as captivating as THE LION KING. Follow the new path that Pooky takes as she claims her place in the 'Circle Of Life!'
Review by Michelle Padrelanan
Meet Pooky The New Kid, written and illustrated by Ms. Domonique Mayhawk is the story of a charming little girl who loved her life in Detroit. She had many friends with whom she played with all the time. She loved her school, the street parties on her block, she loved getting wet from the fire hydrant and playing in old abandoned homes with her friends. She loved everything in Detroit. The she and her mom moved to Ann Arbor. The move to Ann Arbor was scary for little Pooky. What will her school be like? What kind of teacher will she have? Will she be able to make friends? Will they play with her? Will it be just like what it was in Detroit? These are the thoughts that Pooky will face in the book. It is interesting and inspiring to read how Pooky will be able to adjust to her new life in Ann Arbor.
MY THOUGHTS Author and Illustrator Domonique Mayhawk did a great job with the whole book. The illustrations are all very charming and appealing to both the young and old. The story is well-written and it was good to see how Pooky was able to adjust to her life in Ann Arbor. This story is actually culled from the real-life story of the author when she also moved from Detroit to Ann Arbor as a young child. This makes the whole story realistic and relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, especially the illustrations which I find very refreshing and unique. It’s a good read not only for those who are moving from one place to another, but also for children who may be moving into a new school, or a new church, where they will be challenged with making new friends and adjusting to a new environment. Parents and caregivers will also benefit from reading this book to know how to help their own children adjust to new environments.
MY THOUGHTS Author and Illustrator Domonique Mayhawk did a great job with the whole book. The illustrations are all very charming and appealing to both the young and old. The story is well-written and it was good to see how Pooky was able to adjust to her life in Ann Arbor. This story is actually culled from the real-life story of the author when she also moved from Detroit to Ann Arbor as a young child. This makes the whole story realistic and relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, especially the illustrations which I find very refreshing and unique. It’s a good read not only for those who are moving from one place to another, but also for children who may be moving into a new school, or a new church, where they will be challenged with making new friends and adjusting to a new environment. Parents and caregivers will also benefit from reading this book to know how to help their own children adjust to new environments.