NOBODY NOTICES MINERVA

A cantankerous terrier struggles to find her place in her family dynamic in this wryly funny tale. Minerva is a classic middle child, sandwiched between the needs of the family baby and the more mature requirements of an older sibling. Tired of feeling overlooked, the canny canine relies upon a tried-and-true method of garnering attention: non-stop naughtiness. Kirwan has a keen eye for preschool antics; her humorous depictions of Minerva’s mischievousness will earn giggles of recognition from young readers, as Minerva slyly wreaks havoc on the household. Wary caregivers need not be concerned, however, as Minerva’s outbursts are deftly handled by her wise parents. The tale concludes with a worthy message about how good deeds actually earn double rewards: feeling good about one’s self and gaining positive recognition. Kirwan’s colored-pencil-and-gouache illustrations artfully capture both the sassiness and underlying sensitivity of her spunky heroine. This smart tale relies upon humor rather than laborious preaching to get a timely message across. (Picture book. 3-6)