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Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Isabella & Penelope by Maggie Grinnell is the story of the bonding between Isabella and Penelope, a caterpillar. Isabella has lost her father in a plane crash. She is sad about the loss but the timely entrance of Penelope into her life helps her overcome the grief slowly. The book covers a touching topic, telling children about mourning and loss, and the author has done this very subtly.
The book also tells children about friendship. The portrayal of the friendship between Isabella and Penelope is endearing. The caterpillar gives her emotional support in overcoming her pain and, in due course, Penelope also changes. It is a beautiful story of bonding that parents can read to their children. The adorable little pink caterpillar, Penelope, will steal readers' hearts with her endearing character. I felt the book could have done with better illustrations, mainly because it is a children's book. But the story is so well executed it makes up for the lack of good illustrations.
The ending of the story is beautiful but there is a tinge of sadness too. It is a story that can cause mixed reactions among kids. It will be easier for kids who have already experienced loss to relate to the themes. The story is narrated in a dreamy and whimsical manner, making it appealing. The colors, sights and sounds make it an ideal read for kids.
