Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Super-positive hamster sets goal, delivers in upbeat tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
From the first sentence of PEANUT GOES FOR THE GOLD, it's clear that "Peanut has their own way of doing things" -- like "having banana pancakes on their birthday instead of cake ... and cutting their own hair as they Hula-Hoop." And once Peanut decides to do something, "there's just no stopping them." Peanut decides to be a rhythmic gymnast, trains hard, and enters a big competition, and it works out well, despite a big mistake.
Is It Any Good?
This upbeat story shows a kid hamster driven to achieve greatness, willing to work hard to get there, and appreciating the help of loved ones along the way. Peanut Goes for the Gold is a super-positive story that highlights nonbinary gender identity by the use of the pronoun "they" in references to Peanut. Peanut's enthusiasm, determination, and pure joy is inspiring, and Gillian Reid's illustrations capture Peanut's exuberant spirit. It's a fresh take on the know-who-you-are and follow-your-dream themes that's downright irresistible.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the big competition in Peanut Goes for the Goal. What does Peanut do to prepare for it? Have you ever had a big competition or performance to get ready for? What happened?
What's fun about the art in this book? Which pictures are your favorite? What do you like about them?
Peanut makes a mistake but quickly recovers. How hard is it to do that in life? Do you think you can have as positive an attitude as Peanut has?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : undefined
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Arts , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Harper
- Publication date : August 24, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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