Sylvie [Hardcover]

Jennifer Sattler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 2009 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Meet a flamingo of a different stripe!

“Mama, why are we pink?” asks an irrepressible and ever-curious young flamingo named Sylvie. When she learns that it’s due to the little pink brine shrimp they eat, Sylvie takes the maxim “You are what you eat!” to a whole new level. Her new diet leads to some very interesting new looks—from scarlet to stripey to positively purple! Like Leo Lionni’s chameleon in A Color of His Own, Sylvie eventually comes to learn that being yourself is the best thing to be—though with her own flair!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The artwork masterfully captures each of Sylvie's emotions in both facial expression and body language. Sattler's message is delivered effectively without being preachy.

This will be a hit in just about every setting." --KIRKUS REVIEWS (APRIL 15, 2009)

Review

"There is a surprise ending that will surely induce giggles from kids. Sattler's art steals the show; the colors are eye-popping and vibrant, right to the swirling bright endpapers. As Sylvie changes colors the background changes hues as well. This title is sure to create story time magic."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (May 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375857087
• ISBN-13: 978-0375857089
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.4 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sylvie, June 16, 2009

By 

SZAA "Lover of All Things Written" (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sylvie (Hardcover)

Sylvie, written and illustrated by Jennifer Sattler, is the story of an adorable pink flamingo, searching for her identity. When she wonders why she is pink instead of a different color and her mother tells her it's because of the shrimp that flamingos eat, Sylvie decides to try out some different colors, by eating lots of different things.

Sylvie samples some grapes and turns a lovely shade of purple, snacks on some chocolate and becomes a beautiful brown, and even consumes a piece of paisley bathing suit and is instantly a gorgeous paisley all over. However, after trying all of wonderful colors, Sylvie feels a bit yucky and a whole lot less like Sylvie.

Though the plot is one like a lot we've heard before....trying out different identities before truly loving one's self, Sylvie is presented in a unique, super-cute, funny manner, with hilarious illustrations, and some great. This would make a wonderful read aloud!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story and artwork, September 3, 2009

By 

Steven R. McEvoy "MCWPP" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sylvie (Hardcover)

This book is well written and the paintings by Sattler are fabulous. It is the story of a young flamingo named Sylvie. Once she finds out that she and her family and all the flamingos are pink because the shrimp they eat are pink, she decides to experiment. She soon realizes that if she eats different things she can change her color, and what fun she has trying to be different. She turns green and purple, and brown, blue red stripy and even paisley. The illustration paintings by the author are fun and funny and will make your children laugh out loud. Join Sylvie in her experiments as she tries different colors but realizes it is best to just be yourself.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous use of colors and imaginative approach to teaching children about embracing their inner selves, August 30, 2009

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Sylvie (Hardcover)

"Sylvie" by author-illustrator Jennifer Sattler takes a unique approach to the theme of embracing one's true self, via a cute little flamingo, Sylvie who wonders why she is pink. Her mother tells her it's due to the pink shrimp they eat, and Sylvie decides to explore the other colors she could be, by eating grapes [and turning purple], munching on a red kite and turning scarlet, etc. Of course, by the end, Sylvie decides she is happier just being her pink self, but does play around a little bit with her food, just for fun's sake:) A great picture book for young children with vibrant colors that will capture young readers' imaginations.