Description: I am Gina Kaminski. Here are three facts. 1. The story of Little Red Riding Hood is full of BIG mistakes. 2. But I have a plan to fix them. 3. My plan involves cake. This is how I save the wolf...
Review Quotes:
"Both the main narrative and the retold story within it are smoothly written. From the emotion-chart endpapers to the portrayal of characters, Martin's quirky illustrations are colorful, lively, and expressive. An engaging, amusing picture book that reads aloud well.
-- Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
-- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED "Barr-Green contemplates a child's emotional landscape throughout this twice-told tale. ... When the story's perceived mistakes are finally remedied, it makes for an empowering conclusion. Martin's scribbly drawings have a sketch-like quality that suits this story about imagination and logic in process."
-- Publisher's Weekly "I LOVE Gina Kaminski. She is my daughter as a little girl. Spunky, imaginative, kind, and autistic . ... I believe kids will relate well to Gina and parents will love her just as much as I do. Thank you to the creators of this story!!"
-- Jamie Bills "A fairy tale retelling and a neurodivergent main character who saves the day"
-- Mom Read It "This book is hilarious! Gina is just one of those characters that lives off the page and makes you want to read more of her stories. She is a huggable little girl who tells it like she sees it. "
-- Picture Book Recommendations "Meet Gina Kaminski, a creative, spirited, neurodivergent little girl who thinks in threes. ... Through sketch-like, animated illustrations, Francis Martin artfully captures Gina's feisty nature and determination to make things right for the wolf."
-- Book Reviews, ILA CL/R SIG "Drop Everything and Read" "Told with care and sensitivity to the various learning styles that exist in a classroom, the story of Gina rings true for people familiar with children with autism. Readers will find young Gina an engaging character who thinks in a novel way but seeks happiness, security, and closure just as most people do."
-- Children's Literature Comprehensive Database "[B]ased on my experience with two autistic sons and in special education settings ... I feel this book is a fair representation of children with autism, and I hope it will be frequently read in schools and libraries and help with the overall acceptance of autistic individuals. Recommended for public, elementary, and classroom libraries."
-- Catholic Library World
"With energetic, expressive illustrations and a message that celebrates thinking differently, this book is a total gem. Funny, thoughtful, and totally empowering, Gina is the fairy tale hero we didn't know we needed."
-- A Blue Box Full of Books
"Gina portrays as a kid with sensory issues and perhaps some anxiety who takes things into her own hands to turn not only her day around but the wolf's as well. A fun addition and teaching point is the use of emojis to track Gina's feelings during the story. This would be a fun addition to a fractured fairy tales unit."
-- Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's and Young Adult Literature