The Girl Who Blamed the World (Paperback or Softback)

Rosa Lee is girl who goes through life blaming everyone else for her miseries. She never makes the best of a less-than-perfect situation nor does she ever do anything to improve it. Rosa never realizes that it is she alone, who is responsible for her own happiness. "The Girl Who Blamed the World" is really an indictment of the time we waste feeling sorry for ourselves.

"The Girl Who Blamed the World" is a funky, illustrated morality tale in narrative verse about a girl named Rosa Lee who never found happiness because of her sour attitude, "Woe is me!" Rosa Lee blames the world for her wonky eye, her fizzy curls, and just about everything else that happens that is not exactly what she wants exactly when she wants in. In other words, she makes a life profession out of whining, never seeing the glass as half full rather than half empty. Gratitude is not in Rosa Lee's vocabulary. She continues complaining through her life until she is old and disabled, when her grandson informs her: "Don't be sad, Grandma!/ It's a CHOICE to remain forever blue./ Happiness isn't a given, after all,/ But the RIGHT TO PURSUE IT/ Is what is guaranteed to me and you (p. 40)." The whimsical, humorous illustrations help underline the message of "The Girl Who Blamed the World" in fine ironic style appealing to kids age 6 and up. 

MidWest Book Review