Prudence and Moxie

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Double dares test the friendship of an unlikely duo.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this story provides a good forum for talking about friendship, peer pressure, and what to do when someone dares you to do something you just don't want to do.


What's the story?

Just by their names, you can tell theirs is going to be a complicated relationship. Moxie is a raccoon, and always up for a dare. Her friend Prudence, an aptly named deer (or moose), is not. Still they are friends, even though Moxie's daredevil antics often spoil the game she is playing with her less rambunctious pal. However, when Prudence tries to coax Moxie onto her horse for a ride, she is amazed at the surprising result.


Is it any good?

 

The issue is a good one, the story complicated enough to arouse a good discussion, and the artwork amazing as well as entertaining. Like Prudence and Moxie, the anthropomorphic main characters, real human kids of all ages confront peer pressure daily, and they have to decide what to do with it. They also have to decide what to do with friends who let them down now and then. This book offers a gentle way to start these sorts of conversations.

The story itself presents some very unique scenarios that seem pretty silly yet, at the same time, ring so very, very true. And, AnnaLaura Cantone's artwork, her "acrylic, collage, and whimsy," brings an Italian folk art feeling to the book, and makes the whole thing all the more captivating.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about what it feels like when someone dares you to do something. Why do people dare other people to do scary or silly things? Why do some people take dares? Why do you think Moxie kissed the aquarium glass, rolled off the sled, and rode the scariest carnival ride over and over? How did Prudence feel about what Moxie did? Do you think Moxie cared? How do you think the two ever became friends? Do you take every dare, like Moxie? Or are you more like Prudence?


This review was written by Patricia Tauzer

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This review was written by Patricia Tauzer
Author:Deborah Noyes
Illustrator:AnnaLaura Cantone
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Picture Book
Publisher:Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
Publication date:April 23, 2009
Number of pages:32
Hardcover price:$16.00
Publisher's recommended age(s):4 - 8
Read aloud:4
Read alone:7

This review was written by Patricia Tauzer
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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