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Rhonda Paglia is a children's author, a retired elementary teacher, and a "not so retired" grandmother from Pennsylvania. She and her husband have three grown children, five grandchildren, and a little Yorkie-poo named Bella. "Grammy Pags," as she is called, enjoys gardening, tap dancing, yoga, and, of course, writing stories, especially for her grandkids! Her granddaughter, Sofie, is the inspiration for the "Meeda and Me" series.
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Meeda is a pretty little girl who likes pink dresses and bows in her hair. She is Sofia Margaret's best friend. Sofia Margaret talks about Meeda, describing all of the things that Meeda likes to do: she loves to wear pretty dresses, jump and twirl and dance; she likes to sing and make silly faces; and she loves the ocean. All of the things that Meeda likes to do, Sofia Margaret likes to do as well. As this colourful little story unfolds, the reader learns that Meeda does and is everything, "Just like me" (just like Sofia Margaret). In fact, the two were even born on the same day, December 26th. The coincidence is simplified when the reader learns that Meeda actually lives in Sofia Margaret's mirror. The two are one and the same and yet different because, as readers all know, mirrors can reflect things in reverse.
Retired teacher, but certainly not a retired grandmother, Rhonda L. Paglia has created a lovely, picturesque story about being 'me'. We all are who we were meant to be - that is a very important lesson for all children to learn. The colorful pictures and the simple words make this a lovely, easy-to-read story for beginning readers. At the end of the book, there is a list of vocabulary words used in the story and 'Look Back in the Story' activity pages. There is a very clear message in this simple story: it's okay to be the same, but it is also okay to be different. Sofia Margaret and Meeda, best friends, even in reflection, are both the same and different. Well done.
