Felix Stands Tall (Felix and Fiona) - Hardcover

Wells, Rosemary

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0763661112 ISBN 13: 9780763661113

Publisher: Candlewick, 2015

Synopsis

From the creator of Max and Ruby comes a quiet, sweet-natured guinea pig who stands up to teasing with a tip from his bold new friend.

Felix has a new best friend! With take-charge Fiona, anything seems possible, and before Felix knows it, she sweeps him into singing and dancing with her as pixies in the Guinea Pig Jubilee talent show. But right after Felix’s first-prize triumph, trouble waits in the wings. “Twinkletoes!” someone taunts, and Felix crumbles. Can he pull himself together and face down the bullies? With a little help from Fiona, can Felix find a magic key that unlocks the secret to standing up—to anyone?

About this title

About the Author:

Rosemary Wells has written and/or illustrated more than 120 books for children and has received many awards. She is the author-illustrator of Stella’s Starliner and Love Waves, the creator of the beloved Max and Ruby stories, and the illustrator of My Very First Mother Goose and Here Comes Mother Goose, both edited by Iona Opie. Rosemary Wells lives in a small town in New England.

From School Library Journal:

K-Gr 2—Wells, known for portraying adorable fuzzy-faced animal characters with endearing and oftentimes assertive qualities, introduces Felix, an agreeable guinea pig who becomes immediate best friends with Fiona. The minute the bond is established, Fiona declares that her new buddy will join her in the big talent show as a pixie at the Guinea Pig Jubilee. She never gives Felix much of a choice when she teaches him the Texas slide step and how to in-line dance in costume, but far worse is when he is teased as being a "Twinkletoes" and mercilessly bullied by classmates. Only when Felix learns what it means to "stand tall" and face his antagonists with a "Magic Protection Suit" does he rise above his circumstances, even voicing his own opinion to slightly bossy Fiona. Wells's characteristic illustrations are enhanced to a meaningful level with a story that emphasizes how to meet the challenges of bullying without fighting back by tongue or fist. At a time when bullying is on the rise from as early as preschool, this book serves a vital purpose, further demonstrating minimal parental involvement beyond Mama Guinea Pig urging her "angel" to "stand tall" and face his own problems. VERDICT A worthy addition to memorable picture books about bullying and self-worth, like Helen Lester's Hooway for Wodney Wat (HMH, 2002) and Anna Dewdney's Llama, Llama and the Bully Goat (Viking, 2013).—Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY

About this edition

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0763661112
• ISBN 13: 9780763661113
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Wells Rosemary