Rosie Sprout's Time to Shine

When is it your turn to shine?!

This unassuming book tells quite the story; one very familiar to most school age children or those with many siblings. We’ve all met that one perfect person – the kid in the class who always gets the highest grades and is the best, fastest, highest, loudest –everything-est – in absolutely everything they try. When is it your turn to shine?! We all like a bit of attention, and it is ok to admit it. This simple sounding statement is at the heart of Rosie’s struggles.

Rosie’s nemesis is Violet. Violet can do no wrong. Everyone knows this, even the teacher, but it most especially bothers Rosie who isn’t real fast or loud or fancy and just wants her own chance to be the best at something too. Right at the beginning of their “pea growing”experiment, Violet catches the measles and misses two whole weeks of school! What will happen to her little pea sprout?! Will this be Rosie’s chance to be the best?!

Allison Wortche eloquently and compassionately tackles the complex mess of emotions that we all face at one time or another and doesn’t show typical rosey-eyed reactions with Violet miraculously changing or Rosie getting mad and stomping off. A mature Rosie reaches a conclusion that is satisfying to the reader and provides a great discussion starter in the classroom or at home (either on peas OR peers!)