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Julia E. Antoine began writing at the age of 19. She formerly wrote short stories for the local radio station in her home town, which were read on the air at story time. She gave up writing when she moved to the United States, to attend college, where she has since earned several degrees, including two Masters and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University in Boston. During the course of her schooling, she has written and published a working curriculum for a career school, as well as other literary work. After graduating, she revisited her first love, writing for fun and enjoyment, and has not stopped since.
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite
"Too Clever IV: Jeanie’s Most Prized Possession" was written and illustrated by Julia E. Antoine. Antoine is the administrator of a vocational school and a prolific author. This is her sixth children’s book.
Jeanie loved to play the violin. It is her dream to own a Ricardo Bunnel G2, in rosin. Her mother worked as a secretary and they just didn’t have the money for one. Her teacher Mrs. Elliott suggested her students enter an essay contest. First prize was $10,000 and the second prize $5,000. Another prize was tickets to see David Garrett in concert. Garrett was a violinist and Jeannie’s favorite musician. Jeannie was very good at writing but the problem was the topic of the essay: she had to write about her most prized possession. She thought and thought but couldn’t come up with an answer. She turned to one of her best friends for advice; he gave her just the right idea. She began to write imagining what her violin would be like if she had one. She visualized the instrument and described each part.
"Too Clever IV" is a delightful book. The illustrations are photographs. I honestly thought the book was non-fiction. Antoine has created a remarkable character in Jeanie. She is the kind of child we would all like to have as a model for our children. Not only is Jeanie an intelligent and talented child, she is also a well-behaved child. Jean doesn’t ask for much and she is very practical in her requests. Antoine offers her readers a story they will make their children read it with passion. It would be an excellent tool to encourage discussion. This is one parents will want to pick up for their children.
