Violet Bing is one persnickety, opinionated, and stubborn 7-year-old (almost 8 year-old) girl. She doesn't want to do anything, go anywhere, no way, no how. When her parents tell her they are going on a family vacation, Violet says, "NO, I don't have the time.". Well, then, she must go stay with Great Aunt Astrid at the Grand House. While there, slowly but surely her attitude is adjusted by Great Aunt Astrid's loving nudges, a boisterous new friend by the name of Marigold Greene Gold and a loveable pooch who all show her that the very best adventures are waiting right outside your window. ( )

Violet refuses the family vacation so her family sends her to Aunt Astrid's house. (The Grand House). Violet is not a big fan of going to stay with people she's never met but with the help of some friends she realizes that adventures are more fun than she thought and that life is more interesting. This is a great book for children to read. It is cute, fun, and exciting all in one. Students can learn life lessons from this book and make many connections. ( )

Very definite in her likes and dislikes, seven (nearly eight)-year-old Violet Bing goes to stay with her unusual Great-aunt Astrid in the Grand House.