Author:Brenda Faatz
Illustrator: Peter Trimarco
Publisher: Notable Kids Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-7333548-2-0

“To answer ‘Now What?’ was no longer their quest, for to be in the moment was simply the best,” ends Brenda Faatz’s children’s book, Now What?

“To answer ‘Now What?’ was no longer their quest, for to be in the moment was simply the best,” ends Brenda Faatz’s children’s book, Now What?

This forty-six-page hardbound targets children ages four to eight years old who like stories about creatively coming up with things to do, only to realize being in the moment is what counts. With no scary scenes, it has a young, bored girl who befriends a new neighbor, and they spend the day doing numerous activities. The jacket flap includes the book’s description and author’s and illustrator’s biographies. Colorful but simplistic illustrations cover the pages.

This rhyming tale is about a young girl named Lizzy who is easily bored and tries to keep busy by herself playing games, making music, tossing a ball with her dog, or bringing home kittens that she cannot keep. She constantly asks what she should do next. When Luna, another young child moves in next door, the two immediately connect and spend hours playing hopscotch, making music, building a spaceship and fort, and hiding in boxes when it starts to rain. Later they use their artistic talents to color their world, realizing that they found contentment in being together in the moment.

This is a fun and entertaining story for young ones who get restless easily and want to be in constant motion. I appreciate the clever rhyming and creative outlets the girls invent to keep occupied. The idea of living in the here and now is a good lesson for any age to learn.

Those who do not like books about a child who has to be continually entertained may not approve of this book, although its ending is redeeming. Others who are beginning readers may have trouble pronouncing and understanding some two and three-syllable words.

Those who are more visual may want more details in the artwork as there is a lot of dead space. I felt the book started rather slow, but it had a good ending. The read tends to target girls, not boys.

If you are looking for a cute story that follows an unexpected day in a bored little girl’s life where she finds friendship, this would make a lovely gift.

Thanks to Bookpleasures, Ascot Media News, and the author for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.