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Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite
Hildie and the Beastie by Donna L. Martin is a children’s story about a princess who throws temper tantrums; her “Beastie.” As the story goes, “Hildie was a nice little princess…. Except when she was not.” Whenever she’s asked to clean her room or eat her vegetables, her Beastie comes out. After one too many blowups, a wise witch comes to the castle offering the Queen a solution with one small condition attached. The Queen agrees, and off Hildie goes with the witch to her forest cottage. Each day, the witch sets a simple challenge for Hildie. On Monday, she asks Hildie to clean her room, but her Beastie comes out and roars. On Tuesday, she asks Hildie to eat her vegetables, and her Beastie stomps not once, but twice! Can five days of curious lessons teach a princess to handle big feelings before her Beastie gets the better of her?
Donna L. Martin’s writing style invites read-aloud fun in true kid fashion, with requests, refusals, and the rumble of a tantrum. She offers gentle structure by incorporating one manageable task per day. This is not just a children’s story, but a caring grown-up guide. This beautifully laid out story models self-regulation through reflective moments, without lectures. Nimra Junaid’s illustrations convey emotions with bold lines, expressive faces, and stormy to warm colors. This makes Hildie’s mood swings visible but not scary. Families who enjoy modern Social and Emotional Learning children’s stories like Tom Percival’s Ravi’s Roar or Anna Llena’s The Color Monster will also enjoy Hildie and the Beastie.
