Paisley

The story and the artwork are simply charming but the enthusiasm and the optimism of the little Paisley endeared me to this book. It's a situation that most little ones worry about, stuffed animals having no one to love, and it pulled at my heartstrings. I loved this book!

I ordered this book for my granddaughter after checking it out from the library several times. She loves it. It is a very cute story about finding a little stuffed elephant's special someone. Both she and her brother ages 5 and 3 have really enjoyed this book.

I find Paisley to be unusual for a children's book--most authors would put the book in third person, I think, but Maggie Smith chose first person. So Paisley tells us the tale. I love all the details--every animal at the shop where Paisley's story begins has personality. A green whale with white polka dots, a snail with a colorful shell, some gingham/seersucker cats, a dinosaur with a pattern of flowers or cogs, a swirly octopus, a plaid giraffe, and flowered farm animals are just some of the many characters in the store. Each animal is meant for a particular child, but Paisley's destiny involves an exciting journey through streets and a laundromat. We see the swing tag go flying from the plastic hanger on the elephant's ear, and we can witness the dizzying/sickening effects washers and dryers can have on a stuffed animal. Paisley despairs of ever finding the right child, but the end of the book represents a new beginning for our charming protagonist.

This is such a cute book! I love the contrast between what Paisley is describing and what the pictures are showing. Paisley puts a positive spin on situations which are actually out of his control. There's a lot of colorful patterns in the illustrations, and repeated readings reveal some humorous details. Our 2 year old is a big fan!