It's Just So


Children - General
40 Pages
Reviewed on 06/22/2016
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Brenda Faatz & Peter Trimarco: This is the first book in the series by this creative duo, but not their first creative endeavor. Having already collaborated in writing and producing both the music and script for a live children’s theater program,
this book and its Lizzy character simply came to life.

Brenda is a critically-acclaimed musical theatre performing artist and founder and director of the Notable Kids Arts Center in Denver.

Peter is a former music industry creative director and executive producer turned publisher. He is co-owner and publisher of Beyond Cinema Magazine.

Together, Brenda and Peter are inspired by the children they work with (which sometimes is each other) and have discovered a passion in creating original music and stories for children.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite

In It’s Just So..., a children’s book by Brenda Faatz and Peter Trimarco, there is quite a whole lot going on. Children’s books are almost defined by the near necessity to coordinate a pleasing complement of both words and pictures, but rarely do the creators see fit to multi-layer such a project in anticipation of the reader “growing older.” In other words, to make their work speak differently to children of different ages. Such a challenge would seem a wee bit risky, but success is often its own reward.

Lizzy is a somewhat addle-pated little redhead girl with her own version of the ubiquitous children’s book dog companion (you know, the sidekick who quietly steals the show), who is set to embark on the NEXT BIG ADVENTURE – her very first day at a brand new school. Since Lizzy is as impressionable as any young girl can be, everything (I mean EVERYTHING) strikes her as just so ...

It’s Just So... by Brenda Faatz and Peter Trimarco is successful on every level. Lizzy is immediately engaging, as she is just so ... IMPRESSED by everything – a trait shared by many girls her age (and older). You can hear her speaking in your head: “It’s just so ...” And you smile. And though the dog is rather unimpressed, the reader watches Lizzy move quickly from intimidation to acceptance to confidence to utter fearlessness and leadership as she develops a vocabulary beyond her years, and beyond the confines of any stodgy old dictionary. But perhaps the most successful aspect of this endearing book lies in its message: a change in attitude can make any new experience fun.

Lizzy is a wonderful role model for children to emulate as she allows her trepidations to slide under the waves of a new perspective. By opening herself to the FANTASTICAL, not to mention the SCIENCE-SATIONAL, any new experience can become, quite simply, magical, like this wonderfully illustrated, wonderfully worded, wonderfully messaged book, which is just so ...

Jack Magnus

It's Just So... is a children's story book written by Brenda Faatz and Peter Trimarco and illustrated by Peter Trimarco. Lizzy was not in a hurry to wake up on the first day of school. She had no idea what would happen, and it all seemed kind of scary. Lizzy tried to stay asleep for a little bit longer, but her tummy started to rumble, and her alarm clock made lots of noise. So she got up, selected a special Lizzy-outfit, and went downstairs for breakfast. When the bus roared up to her house, and the door opened for her, she was startled by how tall it was, and the school they finally drove up to was so very big. Once she got inside, however, Lizzy discovered a whole new world. They read books, which Lizzy got all excited and dramatic about, and learned about numbers and science. Before she knew it, Lizzy was on her way home again after experiencing what was probably the most exciting and fun day of her life.

Brenda Faatz and Peter Trimarco's children's story book, It's Just So..., follows Lizzy on her first day in a new school which she soon discovers that she really likes a lot. This is a cheerful and entertaining story that helps kids realize that their feelings of fear and anticipation about new and strange experiences are perfectly natural. Kindergarten, first grade, and new schools are major milestones for young children and are also often the first times they are off on their own and away from parents. It's Just So... gives kids an excellent idea of what school will be like. I loved the upbeat and clever verse the authors use in this story, and Trimarco's illustrations are brilliant. Each panel tells a story and expands on the main plot of the book, and the highly detailed drawings are a lot of fun to spend some time getting lost in. It's Just So... is a grand selection for story time as well as a challenging primer for young readers who can use the illustrations to help them past those unfamiliar words. It's highly recommended.

Hilary Hawkes

It’s Just So… by Brenda Faatz and Peter Trimarco is a rhyming picture book story about little Lizzy’s first day at school. Woken by the bluebirds, Lizzy decides what to wear and bravely sets off on the school bus for her very first day. What will it be like? Will she make friends? Everything seems so…scary, tall, big! But then she discovers all the good and magical and wondrous things about learning, and fun lessons, and making new friends. By the end of the day Lizzy is overwhelmed with all the lovely new experiences and can’t wait to tell her animal friends and Mom and Dad all about it.

I loved this colorful and entertaining rhyming story. The rhymes are fun and great for reading out loud. I especially loved the repetition of everything being “so…” big, scary etc and the wonderfully unique “mathemagical,” “fizz-astro-fantastical,” ”crunch-muncha-licious”! Young children will enjoy hearing and saying these gorgeous new creative words that really bring the story and Lizzy’s thoughts and experiences alive. The colourful, quirky illustrations on every page complement the story perfectly and convey all the fun that Lizzy and the other characters in the story are having. My favorite is the one of Lizzy recounting the day’s adventures to her friends back home.

Brenda Faatz and Peter Trimarco’s It’s Just So… is a special book indeed: fun and entertaining and with an important, encouraging, and reassuring message. Parents can use the story to introduce young children to the idea that, just like Lizzy, they will discover that the first days at school can be good and not so scary after all. In addition, the themes of overcoming fears or worries and being willing to try new things and form friendships are good and nurturing for all children. Capturing young children’s feelings perfectly, this book is an engaging story; perfect for story times, and a very worthy addition to any child’s home or school library. Recommended.