I enjoyed this book. I think it deals with a very important topic and will benefit kids as they learn that people who live in another country are not that different from them. The story was really good and had a good flow. This would be a good story for any child in grade school as they will relate to the characters and the story. I recommend this book and this author if you have a child who loves to read and learn about new places.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Cindy Rushinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCindy Rushin2023-08-24 21:22:322023-09-05 14:28:40Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Cindy Rushin
What a fantastic read! Amaleigha’s 3rd grade class gets pen pals from Ukraine. It’s in these letters that they get to learn about each other’s cultures, countries, families, and everyday life. As they keep writing, they get to ask questions and learn more and more about their new friends. Everything was going amazingly until the Ukraine students wrote and told Amaleigha and her classmates about the possible war they were facing with Russia and how scared they were. This proceeded to open up all the fear the students had for their friends while also giving them the incentive and chance to learn more about different types of unrest in the world.
Janice Pratt has written a very thought provoking book about differences between individuals and the struggles they endure. She really handled the war in such a sensitive manner that allows you to ease into learning more about the world around you and how everything can and usually does affect everyone else in some way. I also really enjoyed the colorful illustrations and was pleasantly surprised to learn that they were drawn by a Ukrainian artist, Alina Kralia, who has had to relocate because of the unrest in Ukraine.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Donyahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDonya2023-08-24 21:13:392023-09-05 14:28:15Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Donya Pedigo
This is a well written book that shows how a young person can develop a friendship across the ocean through written letter. This story shows how Amaleigha makes a new friend in the Ukraine and develops an understanding of where her friend lives – which is much different than were we live. Not only did she learn about the present Ukraine, but her teacher taught them the history of the country – giving them the background needed to know and understand present day Ukraine. This story provides a glimpse of how children view wartime and how those of us not living it can have empathy. What a great book!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tanya Wallhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTanya Wall2023-08-24 17:25:342023-09-05 14:03:05Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Tanya Wall, August 2023
Amaleigha Makes a New Friend is a sweet story by Janice Pratt. Amaleigha is a third grader whose class started writing pen pals letters to kids in Ukraine. Amaleigha’s new friend is named Vova. As Ukraine and Russia go to war Vova’s father goes to war and Amaleigha worries for her new friend and her family’s safety. This was a very good story. It teaches small children about learning about and embracing other cultures. It also helps to introduce topics of war in an appropriate way. There are also plenty of beautiful pictures for the children to enjoy. This is a very good book to teach young children about current-day events.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00La Toya Lewishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLa Toya Lewis2023-08-24 15:07:242023-09-05 14:01:19Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by La Toya Lewis
I thought the introduction was cool- brings up Ukraine, pen pals, and making friends (real or true story). A little wordy, so would recommend for at least first grade and above. The story gives a nice overview of Ukraine- both a brief history and a geography.
The story is sweet and children anywhere will connect to the topics in the pen pail letters- from time with family to sports/hobbies to friends. Would recommend for any class that are interested in other cultures and/or penpal writing.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Crainhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Crain2023-08-24 14:30:582023-08-28 13:21:58Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Jennifer Crain
Amaleigha Makes a New Friend is a children’s book for kids between the ages of six to ten years of age. The story focuses on third grader, Amaleigha, who attends Happy Days Elementary School. When her teacher asks the children in his third-grade class to become pen pals with children in the Ukraine Amaleigha is excited to learn about another country. As Amaleigha and her pen pal, Vova, write letters back and forth, each learn about the other’s lives and cultures. They ask each other questions about what their homes look like, how many siblings they have, and what activities they do for fun. Amaleigha’s teacher also shows his class about the Ukrainian culture by showing them how Christmas is celebrated and what foods they eat. When a war develops between Russia and the Ukraine Amaleigha is worried about her new friend and his family. She has a big heart and wants to find a way to help so Amaleigha and her class raise money to help their new friends affected by the war in the Ukraine.
This was a beautifully written book that was informative and educational for children. It not only taught a lot about the cultures in the Ukraine but also touched on a difficult subject in an easy-to-understand manner. The illustrations were bright, colorful, and really brought the story to life. I highly recommend this book!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2023-08-24 11:53:362023-09-05 14:07:43Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
Amaleigha’s 3rd grade class has been learning about Ukraine and they each get a pen pal to correspond with throughout the school year. Vova is Amaleigha’s pen pal. They write back and forth as much as they can asking questions about life in their respective country, what their home looks like, number of siblings, what they do for fun, etc. They both learn a lot about each other. Amaleigha’s teacher is showing them things in class that the people in Ukraine do for fun as well as foods they eat too. It’s a true cultural experience.
One day, letters arrive from Ukraine and many students are upset to read about the unrest happening there amongst their new friends’ families. The students rally together to send some help to their new friends.
EVERYONE should read this book, regardless of age. It’s a great way to explain what is happening to the younger generation and the older generation could take some cues in terms of ways to reach out and help. Pen pals can be such a valuable resource!
This is a great book that should be in every home or school!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Julie Johnsonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJulie Johnson2023-08-23 20:03:082023-09-05 14:00:14Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Julie Johnson
In school Amaleigha writes a penpal in Ukraine. Vova ends up being Amaleigha’s penpal and friend. Vova ends up telling Amaleigha that Ukraine is going to war with Russia. Amaleigha’s teacher teaches them about Ukraine because of their penpals. They make bread, do a puppet show, and celebrate Christmas. They also raise money to help with the war for the Ukraine’s.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Diazhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Diaz2023-08-23 16:20:582023-09-05 13:57:28Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Angela Renee Diaz
I really found this book to be quit a good tool to help a younger child understand about things in the world. I like how the author was able to take a complex subject and make it simplified so that kids can understand. This was a very well written story and I highly recommend it for kids. The way that the author takes a scary subject and brings it in a form that is not too scary for kids is really good. I wish my children were younger as I would definitely have them read this book. The author has a very unique way to bring this subject to the younger audience.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Caralee Loonathttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCaralee Loonat2023-08-23 15:56:192023-09-05 13:57:18Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Caralee Looat
I love that Janice is selflessly giving the proceeds from this book to support Ukraine families who might have lost their homes or become refugees in other countries. Amaleigha Makes a New Friend is a sweet read for all ages not just kids. I read this book with my grandbabies, and they loved it. It was fun and engaging and left the kids wanting more. It is full of wonderful and colourful drawings that really bring the story to life. It is a book aged for kids 4 – 8 who will be delighted as they go on this adventure with Amaleigha. It is an inspiration to the kids who read it. Amaleigha has such a big heart & wants to help others especially her new pen pal in the Ukraine. It was interesting to learn a little about the Ukraine and a war that threatens.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2023-08-23 15:47:482023-08-28 13:20:55Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Jenni Bishop
This is such a touching and relevant story that really engages any reader. I honestly think that I became more emotional and invested in this story than my kids. The way the author navigates such a touch and yet topical subject matter is brilliant. It was written in a way that made it understandable and educational for children but was also still interesting for them. This whole series has been great. Each book has touched on a different topic but each book has been amazing to read. I think this one is definitely my favourite so far and our whole household is waiting for the next one.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2023-08-23 15:29:072023-09-05 13:56:46Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Kerry Baker
A really informational way of discussing the changing world climate with children. This is the story of Amaleigha, an American 3rd grader, who gets a Ukrainian pen pal, Vova, through her teacher. During the course of the relationship, they learn about each other and their cultures; however, during this time the Russia-Ukraine war breaks out and suddenly Amaleigha is worried about her friend. Through this picture book, we see how differences can be made and we are given the opportunity to see these types of situations through the eyes of children…which is something we sometimes need to be reminded of. This was well done and the topic matter was handled delicately and very well. This is a great book to read to your littles (or students) to show them that differences can be made, no matter how small.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Megan Kimleyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMegan Kimley2023-08-23 12:33:292023-09-05 14:11:34Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Megan Conley
Another book that I found to love. It was cool to find to a book that gave bite-size facts about Ukraine to children while they read about pen pals and letter writing. I remember doing that when I was younger. It was fascinating and so very exciting to get letters. I love reading Ameleigha books when they come out. My granddaughter was here when I got this out to read and she thought this the most exciting thing we did all day yesterday. She’s a bookworm like her Nana. She asked so many questions. She loves to learn and she got to learn about a new culture and other children by reading a story with her Nana. I lover storytime and these books are perfect because they develop learning. Ameleigha is always teaching such wonderful and beautiful ideas that can help strengthen the world to help children develop their own creativity. It’s a must read to share with the children in your life.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shelly Kittellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShelly Kittell2023-08-23 09:28:342023-08-28 13:18:26Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt – Review by Shelly Kittell
Amaleigh’s school class has decided to become penpals with other students in Ukraine as a writing project and a way to learn about how other students live in different countries. Little did they know when they started this project that Russia and Ukraine would become involved in a war. Amaleigha learns about her new friend’s home, school, and friends only to find out that her friend is surrounded by bombs and unsure what will happen to his dad who has joined the Ukraine military.
Sometimes when you dream, it takes a while for it to become a reality. I have wanted to write books since I was a little girl and fell in love with my hometown library. I read books at school, at home, in bed, and even in the bathtub. I just couldn’t get enough of faraway places, brave heroes and heroines, and the experience of getting lost in a new and amazing adventure in each book. Through the years, I became the owner of a preschool, a public librarian, a school librarian, and a children’s yoga teacher but no matter what I did I shared stories with children. Finally, at age 62, I published my first book but I know it won’t be my last.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Amaleigha-Makes-a-Friend-COVER-update-9-June.jpg555740itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2023-08-23 00:01:302023-09-09 23:15:41Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt
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