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Gracie LaRoo
The Marvelous, Amazing, Pig-Tastic Gracie Laroo!
Gracie LaRoo is a synchronized swimming pig extraordinaire! Follow Gracie as she shoots for the gold medal; uses her dazzling moves in a Piggywood movie; visits her old school and shows her former coach just how hard synchronized swimming can be; and captivates a cruise ship audience with her signature spins.
128 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 13, 2017
Gracie LaRoo is the youngest synchronised swimmer in the Water Sprites. Gracie LaRoo has four stories.
In Gracie LaRoo at Pig Jubilee Gracie is competing for the first time in a world synchronised swimming competition. She has been practising hard and memorising her team's routine, but she loses her bag with everything she needs for the competition. Will she find it in time and will she be able to concentrate enough to be able to perform her signature move?
In Gracie LaRoo on the Big Screen Gracie is going to be in a Piggywood movie. When things don't go as she had hoped can Gracie overcome her disappointment? Is her movie dream over before it even begins?
In Gracie LaRoo Sets Sail Gracie and the rest of the Water Sprites have performances booked on a cruise ship but at their first performance the crowd are mad that they can't use the pool or waterslide. If they don't make the crowd happy with their next performance the rest of their performances will be cancelled!
In Gracie LaRoo Goes to School Gracie visits her old school. She's there to teach a class and give a speech about being a synchronised swimmer and she doesn't know if she can do it. She's never given a speech before!
There are very sweet illustrations by Kristyna Litten. While all of the right elements seemed to be there (easy to read, clear storylines, the message that problems can be solved and you can overcome your fears), I didn't connect to Gracie as I have with the main character in books for this age group that I've read recently and I personally didn't like her.
I never felt like cheering her on when things didn't go her way and I was particularly annoyed that she blatantly disregarded the authority of the school principal in the final story. I'm all for being yourself but didn't feel the message that you can deliberately flout authority without consequences was a useful message for school kids reading this book. I also wasn't a fan of her arrogance, singlehandedly deciding she was the one that knew best how to fix every problem and seemingly not even bothering to communicate her spectacular plans to her teammates when her decisions often affected them as well. I can't see how this makes her a good team player.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley (thank you so much to NetGalley and Capstone for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback.
In Gracie LaRoo at Pig Jubilee Gracie is competing for the first time in a world synchronised swimming competition. She has been practising hard and memorising her team's routine, but she loses her bag with everything she needs for the competition. Will she find it in time and will she be able to concentrate enough to be able to perform her signature move?
In Gracie LaRoo on the Big Screen Gracie is going to be in a Piggywood movie. When things don't go as she had hoped can Gracie overcome her disappointment? Is her movie dream over before it even begins?
In Gracie LaRoo Sets Sail Gracie and the rest of the Water Sprites have performances booked on a cruise ship but at their first performance the crowd are mad that they can't use the pool or waterslide. If they don't make the crowd happy with their next performance the rest of their performances will be cancelled!
In Gracie LaRoo Goes to School Gracie visits her old school. She's there to teach a class and give a speech about being a synchronised swimmer and she doesn't know if she can do it. She's never given a speech before!
There are very sweet illustrations by Kristyna Litten. While all of the right elements seemed to be there (easy to read, clear storylines, the message that problems can be solved and you can overcome your fears), I didn't connect to Gracie as I have with the main character in books for this age group that I've read recently and I personally didn't like her.
I never felt like cheering her on when things didn't go her way and I was particularly annoyed that she blatantly disregarded the authority of the school principal in the final story. I'm all for being yourself but didn't feel the message that you can deliberately flout authority without consequences was a useful message for school kids reading this book. I also wasn't a fan of her arrogance, singlehandedly deciding she was the one that knew best how to fix every problem and seemingly not even bothering to communicate her spectacular plans to her teammates when her decisions often affected them as well. I can't see how this makes her a good team player.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley (thank you so much to NetGalley and Capstone for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback.
August 15, 2017
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I was under the impression this book would be one story, but instead it is 4 stories in one book.
The first story is Gracie La Roo at Pig Jubilee. 3 stars from me. I quite liked the story, however… it did feel like I missed a previous story or a part of this story. We start smack-dab in the training for some big event. It just felt jarring. I wanted to root for the girl, but I never really saw her train other than that one failed training we get into at the start. Plus I was a bit annoyed that she would just walk away from her precious bag like that. OMG I see a star, I need to go and get a picture/autograph. forgets bag, gets in a tizzy The ending was also predictable. But it was still fun and creative to see a swimming/ballet pig.
The second story is Gracie La Roo on the Big Screen. 4 stars. I quite liked this story, plus I loved how Gracie tried her best, how she tried to be a peacekeeper and how she eventually found a solution that not only made the lead star happy (very important and I just didn’t get why the director was being such a butthead about things), but also gave Gracie a chance to shine (which she deserve, they really should have told her from the start what the plan was). The movie idea was a really fun one, I wouldn’t mind seeing that in the movie theatres here. Merpigs? Pirates? Crazy stunts? Sign me up!
The third story is Gracie La Roo sets sail. 1.5 stars.
I hated the captain. Instead of taking action against those passengers who threw things at the performers she grumbled that people should be happy and that if Gracie and her team didn’t do it their performances would be cancelled. Whut? What is wrong with this captain?
I also didn’t get why people had to be so crappy about the show. Oh no, the pool is closed for 30 minutes or so, how terrible. Imagine you can’t swim for 30 minutes to an hour a day. The horror. Of course the logical action is to throw stuff at people and endanger them. rolls eyes
The ending was way too predictable and silly. OH, and now people suddenly don’t mind it? Really? That is all it took? snorts
The last and fourth story is Gracie La Roo goes to school. 3 stars.
Or actually she goes to her old school to teach a class and give a speech. When I saw the title in the beginning I thought she was finally going back to school after a long tour around the world because of the medals she won. But instead it was something different.
The principal, bleh. She clearly doesn’t get kids. Speeches and lectures and classes are supposed to still be fun. It is important to teach kids, but if there isn’t any joy, happiness or fun in it, kids will just not listen/not be interested.
The coach was also bleh. What is up with this school and their teachers? sighs
But I loved how Gracie showed him that her sport is really serious. Go girl! The ending was also fun, and I loved how Gracie just took the matters in her own hooves and just did what she felt comfortable with! You go girl!
The book is also filled with illustrations. The style is really fun and cute (though I had a laugh at how huge the snouts are on the pigs), I quite liked that the illustrations were all in colour. I am so used to having a whole book with just black/white illustrations that this is a breath of fresh air.
All in all, I really liked this book. I wouldn’t mind reading more Gracie La Roo stories.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was under the impression this book would be one story, but instead it is 4 stories in one book.
The first story is Gracie La Roo at Pig Jubilee. 3 stars from me. I quite liked the story, however… it did feel like I missed a previous story or a part of this story. We start smack-dab in the training for some big event. It just felt jarring. I wanted to root for the girl, but I never really saw her train other than that one failed training we get into at the start. Plus I was a bit annoyed that she would just walk away from her precious bag like that. OMG I see a star, I need to go and get a picture/autograph. forgets bag, gets in a tizzy The ending was also predictable. But it was still fun and creative to see a swimming/ballet pig.
The second story is Gracie La Roo on the Big Screen. 4 stars. I quite liked this story, plus I loved how Gracie tried her best, how she tried to be a peacekeeper and how she eventually found a solution that not only made the lead star happy (very important and I just didn’t get why the director was being such a butthead about things), but also gave Gracie a chance to shine (which she deserve, they really should have told her from the start what the plan was). The movie idea was a really fun one, I wouldn’t mind seeing that in the movie theatres here. Merpigs? Pirates? Crazy stunts? Sign me up!
The third story is Gracie La Roo sets sail. 1.5 stars.
I hated the captain. Instead of taking action against those passengers who threw things at the performers she grumbled that people should be happy and that if Gracie and her team didn’t do it their performances would be cancelled. Whut? What is wrong with this captain?
I also didn’t get why people had to be so crappy about the show. Oh no, the pool is closed for 30 minutes or so, how terrible. Imagine you can’t swim for 30 minutes to an hour a day. The horror. Of course the logical action is to throw stuff at people and endanger them. rolls eyes
The ending was way too predictable and silly. OH, and now people suddenly don’t mind it? Really? That is all it took? snorts
The last and fourth story is Gracie La Roo goes to school. 3 stars.
Or actually she goes to her old school to teach a class and give a speech. When I saw the title in the beginning I thought she was finally going back to school after a long tour around the world because of the medals she won. But instead it was something different.
The principal, bleh. She clearly doesn’t get kids. Speeches and lectures and classes are supposed to still be fun. It is important to teach kids, but if there isn’t any joy, happiness or fun in it, kids will just not listen/not be interested.
The coach was also bleh. What is up with this school and their teachers? sighs
But I loved how Gracie showed him that her sport is really serious. Go girl! The ending was also fun, and I loved how Gracie just took the matters in her own hooves and just did what she felt comfortable with! You go girl!
The book is also filled with illustrations. The style is really fun and cute (though I had a laugh at how huge the snouts are on the pigs), I quite liked that the illustrations were all in colour. I am so used to having a whole book with just black/white illustrations that this is a breath of fresh air.
All in all, I really liked this book. I wouldn’t mind reading more Gracie La Roo stories.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
May 20, 2019
First sentence: Gracie LaRoo was in the air.
Premise/plot: The Marvelous, Amazing, Pig-Tastic Gracie LaRoo is a collection of four early chapter books. It contains Gracie LaRoo at Pig Jubilee, Gracie LaRoo on the Big Screen, Gracie LaRoo Sets Sail, and Gracie LaRoo Goes to School. Each contains four chapters.
In the first story, Gracie Laroo at Pig Jubilee, readers meet Gracie LaRoo. She's the youngest member of a world-famous synchronized swimming team--the Water Sprites. The team is getting ready to perform at a global competition. Will they win? Will they lose? If they lose will it be Gracie LaRoo's fault?
In the second story, Gracie LaRoo is getting ready to make a guest appearance in her first movie. Will filming go as planned? The director has a definite vision of how the shoot is supposed to go...but things don't go all that smoothly. Can Gracie live up to expectations?
In the third story, the Water Sprites have a gig on a cruise ship. But will the audience love them or hate them? Will the team be fired after a very disappointing first performance?
In the fourth story, Gracie LaRoo is returning to her old school. Not as a student, mind you, but as a guest speaker. Will she be intimidated by her former principal and teachers? Or will she find a way to shine?
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I thought the illustrations were super-adorable. Some of the stories I loved, loved, loved. Others I liked well enough. Overall, I think the book has more strengths than weaknesses.
Premise/plot: The Marvelous, Amazing, Pig-Tastic Gracie LaRoo is a collection of four early chapter books. It contains Gracie LaRoo at Pig Jubilee, Gracie LaRoo on the Big Screen, Gracie LaRoo Sets Sail, and Gracie LaRoo Goes to School. Each contains four chapters.
In the first story, Gracie Laroo at Pig Jubilee, readers meet Gracie LaRoo. She's the youngest member of a world-famous synchronized swimming team--the Water Sprites. The team is getting ready to perform at a global competition. Will they win? Will they lose? If they lose will it be Gracie LaRoo's fault?
In the second story, Gracie LaRoo is getting ready to make a guest appearance in her first movie. Will filming go as planned? The director has a definite vision of how the shoot is supposed to go...but things don't go all that smoothly. Can Gracie live up to expectations?
In the third story, the Water Sprites have a gig on a cruise ship. But will the audience love them or hate them? Will the team be fired after a very disappointing first performance?
In the fourth story, Gracie LaRoo is returning to her old school. Not as a student, mind you, but as a guest speaker. Will she be intimidated by her former principal and teachers? Or will she find a way to shine?
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I thought the illustrations were super-adorable. Some of the stories I loved, loved, loved. Others I liked well enough. Overall, I think the book has more strengths than weaknesses.
November 9, 2017
An arc was provided generously in exchange of an honest review via Netgalley.*
I really enjoyed reading it and would read it to my daughter. The book has 4 stories in it. Every story our main heroine solves a problem. She is nice and sweet. The stories are original and well illustrated. Almost everyone in the stories is female. Only the last story has a male in it:)
I really enjoyed reading it and would read it to my daughter. The book has 4 stories in it. Every story our main heroine solves a problem. She is nice and sweet. The stories are original and well illustrated. Almost everyone in the stories is female. Only the last story has a male in it:)
November 5, 2019
I gave this book 4 stars because it has a lot of stories in there, and there are four stories. Each story is independent. If the stories are linked together, then I would give it 5 stars.
I like the first story the best, because I think that if you don't have the first story then you don't know Gracie Laroo can swim very well. In this story, Gracie Laroo can't swim very well at the beginning, then she had a plan, and she followed her plan. At then end, she got a golden medal from the world.
I like this story because I love plans very very much. If you don't have a plan, you can't know what to do. So if you have a plan, then you can practice and practice and practice and then you can memorize it then you can do better than not have a plan.
I like the first story the best, because I think that if you don't have the first story then you don't know Gracie Laroo can swim very well. In this story, Gracie Laroo can't swim very well at the beginning, then she had a plan, and she followed her plan. At then end, she got a golden medal from the world.
I like this story because I love plans very very much. If you don't have a plan, you can't know what to do. So if you have a plan, then you can practice and practice and practice and then you can memorize it then you can do better than not have a plan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2018
The illustrations soared, but the text flopped in this early reader.
September 26, 2017
You can’t get much cuter than a synchronized swimming pig with a bow for her tail. Gracie La Roo isn't just cute though she’s also a good role model. When she has problems, she thinks things through to solve them. She’s polite but stands up for herself. And she’s not the only strong female (pig) in the story there are a couple of other characters in roles that are still associated with men. I love how the book introduces synchronized swimming and lets the reader know its truly an athletic sport. The illustrations are adorable and go along perfectly with the story line. I especially love the details of the Gracie’s tail bows and the nose clips on the swimmers. I felt the first and last story ended a little abruptly but overall the story still flowed. This is a good, fun read for an early chapter book.
March 23, 2018
If your beginning reader has been looking for a chapter book starring a synchronized swimmer, you have finally found it! Gracie La Roo is here to make your day!
Gracie La Roo is a character that young readers will love. She is a cute, friendly pig (who can resist a cute pig???) who struggles with fears and doubts just like the rest of us. She entertains readers by creatively finding solutions to her problems in ways that kids will enjoy.
All of the Gracie stories are told in simple text with full-color illustrations on every page. Each story is divided into four chapters, appealing perfectly to the beginning reader’s desire to read a “chapter book.”
I am grateful to Ms. Qualey and Capstone for providing an advance reader copy of Gracie La Roo in exchange for my unbiased review.
Gracie La Roo is a character that young readers will love. She is a cute, friendly pig (who can resist a cute pig???) who struggles with fears and doubts just like the rest of us. She entertains readers by creatively finding solutions to her problems in ways that kids will enjoy.
All of the Gracie stories are told in simple text with full-color illustrations on every page. Each story is divided into four chapters, appealing perfectly to the beginning reader’s desire to read a “chapter book.”
I am grateful to Ms. Qualey and Capstone for providing an advance reader copy of Gracie La Roo in exchange for my unbiased review.
August 23, 2017
This book is billed as a beginning chapter book, but it almost like four stories with the same main character. This is a Gracie LaRoo book, an adorable pig, who is part of a synchronized swim team. In the book she learns lessons in self-confidence, teamwork, being herself and being a good role model. The illustrations are adorable. The storylines are good and teach some good lessons. They are simple enough for younger children with just the right amount of detail. There was also some humour throughout the book. A great book for class and school libraries. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
September 7, 2017
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Capstone in exchange for an honest review. Gracie Laroo is quite an adventurous pig!! This chapter book is actually four stories in one. Gracie is a synchronized swimmer and in each delightful story, there is a problem she must solve. She is always ready to do her best. Little readers will love the play on words (such as "pigtube" for youtube and Piggywood for Hollywood..) I enjoyed the illustrations and felt the author did a good job of problem solving. This book teaches you to never give up and always do your best to achieve your goals!! Gracie Laroo really is Pig-tastic!!
December 22, 2018
This utterly adorable transitional reader comprises four stories in which Gracie swallows her nerves and breaks the status quo. This book helps teaches children confidence, bravery, and ingenuity--all the while recognizing uncomfortable emotions! Not only that, but the illustrations are absolutely darling, and attest to how contemporary this book is. This is great for the child who loves cute books (probably those in the same style/prose as those that LeUyen Pham illustrates), and great for helping build up courage!
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
September 9, 2017
I loved the compilation of short stories in Gracie La Roo. This early chapter book series will hold the attention of more reluctant readers. Small amount of words per page and lots of pictures made it an easy sell for early readers. The stories were entertaining and characters lovable. I hope to read more of Gracie La Roo. As soon as I finished reading I gave it to my six-year-old daughter who couldn't wait to give it her own review!
September 28, 2017
*thank you to Capstone Publishers and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
3 stars.
While I liked the fact that this book contains 4 stories, they didint interest me greatly. The illustrations are pretty to look at and fit well with the story. If you/your child is a swimming fan or is a fan of cute little pigs, then this would be a great book. Im giving it an extra star for the illustrations.
3 stars.
While I liked the fact that this book contains 4 stories, they didint interest me greatly. The illustrations are pretty to look at and fit well with the story. If you/your child is a swimming fan or is a fan of cute little pigs, then this would be a great book. Im giving it an extra star for the illustrations.
January 29, 2018
What's not to love about an adorable female pig that loves to swim?! I enjoyed Gracie's adventures, some more than others, and watching her grow throughout the series. The last story was incredibly confusing because I realized I maybe completely unaware of her age. I think any tyke who likes dance or swimming and/or pigs will adore the bright colours and short stories. Hope there are more adventures to come.
November 24, 2017
Gracie Laroo is full of spunk! I had a blast reading this book with my 6-year-old daughter. She loved that she could read most of the words herself, and we both enjoyed the story! We will definitely read it together again!
Great for fans of PRINCESS IN BLACK and MERCY WATSON books.
*I received a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Great for fans of PRINCESS IN BLACK and MERCY WATSON books.
*I received a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
February 16, 2019
I was given a Gracie La Roo “Splash into Reading” poster recently, and had to read her story before hanging. This was very cute and inspiring. In a few years I will definitely be reading this with my niece.
October 21, 2022
Another fun early chapter book I read with my daughter. Gracie La Roo is part of a competitive water ballet swim team. This book takes the reader on several fun adventures with Gracie and her team. My 6 year old daughter loved it and we are hoping to find more Gracie stories to share!
August 11, 2017
*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley.
November 18, 2017
I can’t believe I had never heard of this series before! I love this collection of chapter books featuring synchronized swimmer and wonder piglet, Gracie La Roo! ❤️❤️❤️
December 29, 2017
Cute stories with a likable main character.
September 23, 2018
Seeing as this is on repeat at our house, I’d say it is a big hit. My 4 year old loves it.
September 24, 2018
This early reader was delightful. I find the scathing reviews of something light-hearted like this to be rather amusing.
May 1, 2019
Cute stories, and the illustrations are UNBELIEVABLY CUTE!!!
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
Want to Read
September 25, 2017Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
December 5, 2017
Gracie is a plucky ernest porcine with her sights set high with her ambitions. Engaging early reader chapter books like this one are what take a child from sounding out words to reading a story and total comprehension.
December 23, 2017
The Marvelous, Amazing, Pig-Tastic Gracie LaRoo! By Marsha Qualey is a delightful beginning chapter book for young children. Gracie is no ordinary pig. She is a synchronized swimming champion and a role model for other pigs as well. Each chapter in this book tells another story in the life of Gracie and each is just as entertaining as the last. I read this book with my son, one chapter a night, and he could not wait to hear the next story each night. I highly recommend this book for young readers. It is so entertaining and makes reading so fun for new readers. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. I cannot wait to read other books in this series!
Read
January 14, 2018I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Marvelous, Amazing, Pig-tastic Gracie La Roo chronicles the adventures of Gracie La Roo, a young pig who is a water ballet swimmer. She and her team, the Sprites, compete at the 25th Pig Jubilee and preform on cruise ship. Gracie goes on to star in a movie and returns to her school to give speech.
The Marvelous, Amazing, Pig-tastic Gracie La Roo is a collection of four Gracie stories. Each story is told throughout a few chapters. The text is simple and easy to read, which makes it a perfect early chapter book. The illustrations are adorable and Gracie is too cute!
A sycronized swimming pig is a new idea, which is a welcomed change. I enjoyed Gracie's story and am happy to have a new, unique early chapter book to put in my patron's hands.
The Marvelous, Amazing, Pig-tastic Gracie La Roo chronicles the adventures of Gracie La Roo, a young pig who is a water ballet swimmer. She and her team, the Sprites, compete at the 25th Pig Jubilee and preform on cruise ship. Gracie goes on to star in a movie and returns to her school to give speech.
The Marvelous, Amazing, Pig-tastic Gracie La Roo is a collection of four Gracie stories. Each story is told throughout a few chapters. The text is simple and easy to read, which makes it a perfect early chapter book. The illustrations are adorable and Gracie is too cute!
A sycronized swimming pig is a new idea, which is a welcomed change. I enjoyed Gracie's story and am happy to have a new, unique early chapter book to put in my patron's hands.
February 1, 2018
This book includes four story’s about Gracie Laroo including;
Books one-Gracie Laroo at pig jubilee
Books two-Gracie Laroo on the big screen
Book three-Gracie Laroo sets sail
Books four-Gracie Laroo goes to school.
Young ones will learn about keeping your concentration and working to get what you want. That even if things aren’t what expect you can make them fantastic. To work with others and you can make things better. And to have confidence if yourself.
These books have many valuable lessons, and the illustrations are adorable. This is a book that will be enjoyed by kids and parents both.
A big thanks to the publisher and netgalley for allowing my to read and review this book
Books one-Gracie Laroo at pig jubilee
Books two-Gracie Laroo on the big screen
Book three-Gracie Laroo sets sail
Books four-Gracie Laroo goes to school.
Young ones will learn about keeping your concentration and working to get what you want. That even if things aren’t what expect you can make them fantastic. To work with others and you can make things better. And to have confidence if yourself.
These books have many valuable lessons, and the illustrations are adorable. This is a book that will be enjoyed by kids and parents both.
A big thanks to the publisher and netgalley for allowing my to read and review this book
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews