6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sophie is Wonderful, April 2, 2001
Sophie is super-completely and totally the messiest girl that ever lived! That assessment, by Olivia, her perfectly neat big sister, just about says it all. And no matter where she is or what she's doing, be it school or parties, the beach, the farm, the circus or even the bathtub, she's a whirlwind of activity and impending disasters. But, as Olivia also tells us, she's kind and very nice, smart, funny and great at puzzles and dancing. She's one of a kind and her family loves her, just for being herself. Judith Viorst really captures the essence of an ever inquistive and busy youngster with places to go, people to see and things to do. Her wonderful hip text, told exasperatingly by older sister and neatnik, Olivia is only outdone by Robin Preiss Glasser's busy and detailed pen and ink line drawings with only Sophie and her mess highlighted in bright colors. Together, they've authored a picture book that will amuse and delight everyone in the family. Perfect for youngsters 5-9, Super-Completely and Totally the Messiest is a winner!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The pictures swing this book into action!, April 23, 2001
We just love the cheerful and happy illustrations that make this a really meaningful Judith Viorst book. Here, the beautiful pictures' exuberant humor, joy, and color add another dimension, almost another story, to a tale of how different 2 sisters and a brother can be. They really do embody "the genuine spirit of animation, the breathing to life, the swing into action," that Maurice Sendak says he considers "an essential quality in pictures for children's books" in "Caldecott & Co.," his book of essays on books and pictures. In fact, the pictures are so wonderful that you should look at the charming, wordless books Robin Preiss Glasser, the illustrator of "Super-Completely," has made with her sister: "You Can't Take a Balloon Into The Metropolitan Museum" and "You Can't Take a Balloon Into The National Gallery."
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23 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Satirical Put-Down of the Clumsy by the Neat, March 11, 2001
How you will rate this book depends on your personal habits.
Neat people will love it. Those who are a little clumsy and disorganized will feel hurt by it. Parents should be very careful in choosing whether or not to buy and read this book to their children. If you have a clumsy child in your household or neighborhood, avoid this book!
I graded the book down for the gratuitous put-downs aimed at those who have accidents!
Think of this book as Ms. Neat's view of Ms. Awkwardly Messy.
"My room is very neat -- like me, Olivia." The feeling of superiority begins there and becomes supercilious as the book progresses.
Her younger sibling, Sophie, gets excited and makes messes of almost everything. She is either clumsy, forgets to be careful, or is plain unlucky. Although there is token affirmation in the end ("mom says . . . Sophie's a kind and very nice person," "dad says . . . Sophie's a smart and funny person," and "Jake [her brother] says . . . Sophie's great at puzzles and dancing . . . ."), clearly the real message is that a klutz should be a butt for jokes. Come on! What kind of message is that to send to children?
Development rates vary a lot with children. Some are still a little awkward well into their teenage years, while others have wonderful small and large muscle coordination early. Children don't choose to be clumsy. They just are.
The perspective in the story could have been shifted to be Sophie's and emphasize how well she means. Then, it would have been a positive story. Having the "perfect" older sister explain her shortcomings makes it just a painful putdown.
The illustrations in the book rise well above the story. Sophie is a delighful-looking carrot-topped child with a smiling eager face in a colorful home and family. I liked her. I also liked the enthusiasm and warm heart behind her well-meaning mayhem. Maybe I feel that way because I'm Mr. Messy in our household.
Think about when intent counts and when results count with children. With children, if the intent is good, the results will eventually follow.
Is neatness always an advantage? When is it? When isn't it?
Enjoy everyone in your family, for all of their characteristics!
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