Wild for Winnie

Caregivers of “antsy” kids will glean some helpful tips, but young readers won’t go wild for this one.

Wild for Winnie can serve as a read-aloud or a resource--or just a sweet book about acceptance.

K-Gr 3--Winnie, a white girl with freckles, is the new kid in class, surprising all her classmates with her wild behavior. She never stops moving, but instead of reprimanding her, the teacher, who is Black, suggests they should all try to see the world through Winnie's eyes. She knows that Winnie suffers from Sensory Processing Disorder that can cause overstimulation. When she monkeys around, the students, who have a range of skin colors, hair styles, and abilities, go out on the jungle gym; when Winnie acts squirrelly, the kids "go nuts" on an obstacle course, etc. Some of these will connect for readers. However, the story doesn't always show a response to her SPD behaviors that makes sense: when Winnie feels antsy, the teacher has them all get into (blanket) cocoons and turn into butterflies. Is this helping Winnie, or her classmates, or both? It is never clear. What is very helpful is the back matter that offers caregivers ideas for helping these children cope. The illustrations serve the text well and are as energetic and alive as Winnie and her crew. VERDICT This is a good story about looking beyond initial behaviors and trying to walk in the shoes of someone who is different. Even though specific connections are not drawn, the idea of trying to understand what others are experiencing sings loud and true.--Joan Kindig

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"In Løvlie's cheery, colorful, pastel-hued double-page spreads, racially, physically, and ability diverse classmates joyfully join Winnie in activities that regulate her animal-themed antics . . . a closing author's note to caregivers alludes to sensory processing disorder and presents additional activities targeting balance, body awareness, and more." —Kirkus

"Fitzgerald explicitly advocates for a paradigm shift . . . by the end of the week, this empathetic teacher has created a space for all her students to be accepted. Back matter explains the social and diagnostic responses for children like Winnie and provides strategies for supportive intervention. Wild for Winnie can serve as a read-aloud or a resource—or just a sweet book about acceptance." —Booklist