Angus All Aglow



Written by Heather Smith
Illustrated by Alice Carter
Published September 11, 2018

Why we chose this book:
I had requested a different title from Orca Book Publishers, and they included this book with the other (that review is coming soon). I am glad that they did - there are so many awesome aspects to this book!

Mom's Review

Angus appreciates the beauty of sparkling things. When his grandmother gives him a special necklace of hers, he wears it at school, to the derision of his peers. In his embarrassment, he inadvertently breaks the necklace. A friend collects the beads, and the next day she and Angus make bracelets, wear them to class, and are greeted by their classmates. Angus's appreciation for the glittering details around him returns and he is happy.

This is an awesome book! It has several positive messages and is a launchpad for any number of valuable conversations, though the tone is not preachy. The primary takeaways:
1. enjoy nature and your environment (Angus loves the light on the lake and the studs on his dog's collar)
2. follow your heart (Angus wears the necklace despite his family's gentle discouragement)
3. show compassion (Angus's friend collects the beads from his broken necklace)
4. encourage others (Angus's friend encourages him to wear the bracelet he made)
5. persevere through challenging times (Angus's wears the special bracelet despite misgivings about his classmates' potential reactions)

This also paves the way for conversations about respecting others' choices, bullying, and reacting compassionately to others.  Furthermore, the illustrations depict positive, healthy family interactions. Although his family at first suggests his wearing something else to school, they respect his choice to wear the necklace; they are shown eating together and enjoying the daughter's dance recital. And it should be noted that the family is inter-racial; positive depictions of minority groups in picture books are always a plus.

Son's Review
(Age: 3 and 1/2 years)
We opted to do our official review after having read this several times over several days, which is how he came to comment on his feelings about the book before we read it this time.

Before reading:
Son: There is a sad part in this story. It's where the necklace breaks.

Mom: That makes you feel sad? Why?

Son: Yes. It makes me a little sad and a little happy.

Mom: Why does it make you feel a little happy?

Son: Because you can get new sparkly things...a new sparkly bracelet.

Mom: What is special about it?

Son: That it's from his [friend].

While reading: 
Son: This is the sad part...it's where the necklace breaks.

Mom: If one of your friends at farm school showed up with a bright necklace on, what would you do?

Son: I would say, "Hi," and, "What is your name?"

Mom: What would you tell your friend if someone didn't like his necklace?

Son: I would say, if somebody doesn't like it, take it off without breaking it.

Mom: But what if he wanted to wear it?

Son: Then I would say, "Just wear it."

Mom: And what would you say to the children who didn't like it?

Son: I would say, "You should use your words to explain why you don't like the necklace," because I'm going to grow up to be a diplomat. An argument is a good thing.

Mom: How is it a good thing?

Son: Because you explain what you don't like and what you like.
____________________________________________________
Mom: Melody sure is being a good friend. Can you see how?

Son: Yeah. Saying kind words.

Mom: Does she help Angus solve his problem? How?

Son: Yeah. By using words [and] tie [the bracelet].

After reading:
Mom: Did you like the story?

Son: Yes.

Mom: What important thing do you learn from this book?

Son: That it's a good thing to be good.

Mom: Did Angus have a hard time? ... Could a friend help you if you were having a hard time?

Son: Yes. ... No, my mommy because if there's no friends, then my mommy helps me. If I'm having a hard time and there are friends, then I ask him for help. Or she.

Mom: How have your friends helped you?

Son: Me and A helped each other. I was carrying it [the flower cup], and they all spilled out. He showed me how to carry it.

Mom: When is it a good time to read Angus All Aglow?

Son: At Christmas because at Christmas there's supposed to be all Christmas lights on the tree.

Mom: If Angus were real, would you want to be friends with him? What would you want to do with him?

Son: Yes I would. I might turn on a flashlight.


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