By Linda Ravin Lodding, Suzanne Beaky
Flash Light Press, $16.95, 32 pages
ISBN 9780979974694

Ernestine is busy, busy, busy. She has sculpting lessons on Mondays, water ballet on Tuesdays, knitting class on Wednesdays, tuba lessons on Thursdays, yodeling on Fridays, karate on Saturdays, and yoga on Sundays. Ernestine is a little girl. Her parents have signed her up for just about everything in which she’s ever shown interest. It’s a good thing her parents have Nanny O’Dear to keep Ernestine on schedule because they are busy too and not around very much. When they see Ernestine looking pale, they think she needs face-painting lessons! Every day as she goes to her lessons, Ernestine watches her neighbor Hugo playing. Ernestine decides to reschedule her life and make time to PLAY! And not only does Ernestine find out how important and fun it is to play, but she reminds Nanny O’Dear and her parents of this important fact.

“That night, Ernestine practiced yoga in bed. She inhaled and stared at her busy schedule. She exhaled and thought about Hugo, and how he got to flip-flop and giddy-up and bounce.”

Linda Ravin Lodding teaches an important lesson in her story without being didactic, but with charming characters and happenings. The brilliant illustrations of Suzanne Beaky are an absolute treat, full of fun and telling details in bright colors. They match the story perfectly. This is a book parents and children alike will enjoy over and over again.

Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck