The whole family will read all these Goodreads Children's Illustrated book nominees for 2015 and rate all of them.
So, this, book ten of fifteen nominated, catapulted into our favorite for the year (though we have two unread), all five star independent ratings! (This is a statistical favorite, for the fan; Harry and I liked this one best, overall; Tara liked best Last Stop on Market Street by Matt LaPena and Christian Robinson; Henry liked Winnie, and Lyra liked A Fine Dessert. But this is the only book that was all five stars from us.
Beaton is known for Hark, a Vagrant! cartoons, so is not primarily an illustrator. The art is comics art, not primarily children's illustration, though Beaton's style here is only a little more cartoony than she usually does for Hark. It has adult (parent) reader appeal for the art. The story is one that fits the current strong girl superhero vein, though this is set in medieval times, and the princess wants to be a knight. She is small, and gets a chubby little pony for a gift, so it would appear a long shot. And boys get swords and other cool weapons for gifts and, as a girl, she gets comfortable sweaters.
How can she win? Well, let me just say that we all loved the way it was resolved, in a surprising and very funny ending. It is the most original entry of all the nominees, really fresh. If you like the Kamala Khan Ms. Marvel and Squirrel Girl, you will like this. A lot.
And the pony has gas issues. Yes, a farting pony. Which is always funny for 8-10 year olds. They can't get enough of that stuff. Okay, I also thought that was amusing.
I am one of the few people on the planet who did not think Hark was all that, so I doubted I would like this, but it almost immediately drew me in.
Dave 5 stars (okay, maybe I wrote initially 4.5 stars, but my family talked me into the bump to 5 with retellings about theta they liked about it)
Tara 5 stars
Harry (10) 5 stars ("funny and cute and dumb, but in a good way")
Henry (9) 5 stars ) ("it's really good, and it's funny")
Lyra (8) 5 stars (thought it was awesome, but still thinks Winnie was the best of the year, which is Hank's and my runner-up)