Ginny Louise and the School Showdown

by Tammi Sauer, Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

The Truman Elementary Troublemakers are a bad bunch. Especially these Cap'n Catastrophe, Destructo Dude, and Make-My-Day May. But they are no match for Ginny Louise, the new hedgehog in school. Her unwavering cheerfulness in the face of their bullying will make young readers holler with glee. Full of rhymes, wordplay, and comic misunderstanding, this book will lend itself well to reading aloud as well as discussions about peer dynamics.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Friendship, Animals, Fiction, Back To School

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 16, 2015

About the author

Tammi Sauer is the author of Cowboy Camp (Sterling, 2005), Chicken Dance (Sterling, 2009), Mostly Monsterly (Paula Wiseman/S&S, 2010), the forthcoming Princess-in-Training (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), and something that's currently Top Secret.

Tammi and her family live in Oklahoma with one dog, two geckos, and a tank full of random fish.

Reviews

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

How will the three troublemakers of Truman Elementary respond to the new student Ginny Louise, who refuses to frown, pays no attention to their bullying, and seems to see the positive everywhere she goes? The showdown has begun: will these troublemakers continue their reign of terror or will Ginny Louise prove a smile and positive mood really is contagious?

I really enjoyed the illustrations in this one; the bullies' expressions in response to Ginny Louise are especially humorous. Ginny Louise's positivity is a great reminder that we can't let others get us down and, by keeping a smile on our face, we just might make a difference in that bully's day as well. The resolution might be a bit too neat and tidy, but it's a cute story.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ginny Louise was new to Truman Elementary School. She didn’t know the bad reputation of the three worse troublemakers in the building. And since Ginny Louise only heard what she wanted to hear, she was able to turn those troublemaker’s threats into great ideas. Pretty soon her sweetness won them over and changed the atmosphere of the whole classroom into something positive.
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[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ginny Louise, who only ever heard what she wanted to hear, charms the Truman Elementary Troublemakers. She is kind, friendly and enthusiastic and refuses to be intimidated by the three worst students: Cap'n Catastrophe, Destructo Dude and Make-My-Day May. Soon, the whole culture of the classroom changes for the better.

Humorous, detailed illustrations and a subtle message will make this a fun read aloud.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story filled with lovely alliterative phrases and great characters that beg to be read aloud. Although I'm sure others will point out the unrealistic, neat ending, it is fiction and the characters are animals. The ideal trait of sheer positivity & kindness toward others, as displayed by our heroine, is the true take-away.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars beware, there might be gushing!! I love Ginny Louise. We need more of those in the world. I can be a Ginny Louise but I am sometimes the Make my Day May, but more often the not, I want to be the Ginny Louise.

I got almost teary eyed on this one but I sucked it up! Cute story, cute pictures, great message!!

[Kim Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all know someone like cheerful Ginny Louise. Now a gang of elementary school ruffians knows her, too, especially rough-n-tough Make-my-day-May. When May and her henchmen try to squelch Ginny Louise, they encounter a wall of bubbly optimism that's pretty dad-burned hard to overcome. Munsinger's art gives even more life to these vivid characters.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book! Ginny Louise is full of spunk and manages to turn the school troublemakers into friends with her positive and fun-loving attitude. When they're saying rude things, she pretends to hear them wrong and twists it into something positive. Ginny Louise is a great character that has the potential to become very popular. I hope to see more books featuring her!

[Running]

So cute! Gotta love Ginny Louise!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The unwavering cheerfulness of Ginny Louise wins over the class bullies.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that's ONE way to deal with bullies....

[Robin Raines-Bond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable pictures! In this cute story Ginnie Louise only hears what she wants to hear and it's all good.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ginny Louise is a character I hope we see more of!

[Ro · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a cute little story. I enjoyed it and it made me smile.

[Selena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh that life could be this easy! It does show children that we are only affected by people if we let ourselves be.

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous fun read aloud. Wonderful school story. And I love the message...kindness changes everything. Teachers, this is a must share!

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every school needs a Ginny Louise to set things straight!

Animal characters remind me of Richard Scarry's fun critters.

[Gaye Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tammi scores a winner again!

[Lynne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really adore the personality, story telling and structure of Tammi Sauer's stories and this one did not disappoint.

[wildct2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story and drawings. Munsinger always does a good job with strong emotions.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ginny Louise is an interesting character in that her solution to the school troublemakers is basically not paying any attention to them. Great strategy, but she seems blinded to what goes on around her which I'm not sure is a good message. I don't think it presents adults in a very positive light, making Ginny Louise the heroine but only in bringing the kids in the class together. Not a fan of the underlying message.

[Cyril · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and creative - love the idea of a playground 'Western.'

[Evianrei · Rating 2 out of 5]

My son was mildly interested in the illustrations of this book, the story was cute but overall not a book that pops into mind when I think 'oh remember that children's book?'. It was just okay.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ginny Louise makes May's day when she sings a song all about her.

[Jen Anyong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story! Great message with truly lovable, endearing characters.
I especially enjoyed the rhyming within the lines. Buying it!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever way to address what to do with a bully.

[A.C.]

This was an easy one to do different voices to, the characters all have different vibes. and a cute story

[Natalie Browning · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet, innocent book that is fun for children. It tells about the school troublemakers who run into Ginny Louise who turns them around. The illustrations are sweet and kids would just love it.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Tammi Sauer's story about Ginny Louise. Reminds me of Mean Jean the Recess Queen, and Stand Tall Molly Mellon (may have missed this title). Anyway, Ginny Louise is positive and wants to have fun despite the bullies and telling her what she needs to do. I wish all children could be as resilient as Ginny Louise was. And the bullies were hilarious in their western gear. Lynn Munsinger was responsible for these funny illustrations. I would recommend this as a read aloud and a fun gift.

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Ginny Louise arrives at school how will she fit in with the troublemakers.

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thuggish animals try to corrupt Ginny Louise. But her cheerful spirit keeps her on the right track and super positive.