So cute and fun! Caterina is a crafty little bird who has specific plans about how a party should go...she learns about being flexible and that surprises can be fun. Illustrations remind me of collages and scrapbooks...colorful and tactile. ( )

Won the giveaway - yay! Will read soon.
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Ok, I entered the giveaway because I empathize with Caterina's compulsion to make everything perfect. I like to be in control, and I don't like surprises... and I'm always looking for more help with coping skills for when real-life has other plans. Unfortunately, this book simply showed me that friends can save the day and miraculously change your whole attitude. I disagree. Instead, the book just made me feel even more inadequate. Also, the pages that showed the bits of the planning stages that were going wrong were too detailed & busy to really understand, and Caterina's facial expression never varied sufficiently for us to understand her reactions.

However, it's a cute concept, and a nice theme, with fun & bright illustrations - it might work for some readers. I will investigate the related website that promises recipes, crafts, etc. ( )

There are certainly kids who will like this book. The illustrations are truly adorable. The concept of planning and making things for a party is attractive to party-liking kids. parents and teachers may appreciate the sequencing of events and the dealing with adversity. I say it was only "ok" because it's to neat and perfect. With that said, again, many kids will be attracted to it and will enjoy it's sweetness. ( )

The best laid plans of mice and men and "a little brown bird with great big colorful thoughts" often go awry. Caterina that surprises can be a good thing. ( )

type A planner meets real life - and still has a good time ( )