EARLY CHAPTER BOOK REVIEW: Leave it to Plum! by Matt Phelan
ABOUT THE BOOK
When a small mammal with an oversized ego tries to take over the zoo, just leave it to the big-hearted peacock Plum to save the day! From award-winning author Matt Phelan, the creator of Knights vs. Dinosaurs and its two sequels, Leave It to Plum! is a highly illustrated young middle grade novel perfect for reluctant readers and animal lovers everywhere.
Young Plum is one of the peacock ambassadors for the Athensville Zoo. Every day the peacocks are allowed to wander freely among the zoo's visitors, delighting and guiding kids and grown-ups alike. The peacocks are very proud of their responsibility; none so much as kind, curious Plum.
But Itch the ningbing--a type of very small marsupial--doesn't understand why those birdbrains should get so much freedom while he's all cooped up. So he plots and plots, sure that he will escape and become the zoo ambassador!
With short chapters and energetic black-and-white illustrations, award-winning author Matt Phelan's Leave It to Plum! is a highly illustrated young middle grade novel full of warmth and humor. The first hilarious story in a series about a young peacock with a big heart, a small mammal with a big ego, and the busy zoo they both live in is perfect for fans of the Princess in Black and Mercy Watson series.
REVIEW
In this amusing illustrated chapter book, Phelan introduces readers to Plum, an optimistic young peacock. Plum lives with a group of other peacocks at the Athensville Zoo. The peacocks consider themselves to be "official ambassadors to the zoo guests" whose job it is to "Mingle! Guide! Delight!" And Plum takes this motto to heart, although not always in ways that the other peacocks understand. Some of the peacocks, as well as some of the other animals, find Plum's optimism and enthusiasm annoying. On top of that, the peacocks have an unknown enemy who is plotting to overthrow them and take over the job of ambassador and guide. When all the peacocks except Plum end up caged and accused of robbing zoo guests, it's up to Plum to find a way to prove their innocence. While this book might not be for everyone, I found it truly amusing. I found myself laughing out loud at some of Plum's good-natured shenanigans. With some good friends and his own determination, Plum finds a way to save his family. I appreciated the fact that Plum's good nature even leads him to find a way to help the villain. Phelan has presented readers with a light, fun read with themes of friendship, goodness, and kindness shining through nicely.
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