Selfie

by Sandy Horsley

Click! Click! Click! Sylvie the Squirrel is obsessed with selfies. However, as she's clicking away, Sylvie is missing out on the fun right in front of her. When her friends save her from a scary situation, Sylvie realizes what's really important and it's not taking selfies. Social media starts at an early age, and debut author/illustrator Sandy Horsley brings that issue to the forefront in this timely picture book. Selfies are fun, but nothing is more fun than being a good friend and living in the moment.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Ebooks, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything in excess is bad. Yes, I get this from this picture book. But I would like to say that just taking selfies doesn't count as bad. I wish the book made this point clear. I can see what the book is trying to convey in such a few pages with minimal illustrations but I feel like the illustrations could have been much better considering that this is supposed to be a picture book for kids. The artstyle is okayish but personally I would opt for other picture books with more vivid artstyle and colour combinations but yes, picture books with different artstyle are fun to read and kids can relate more with such simple art works. The book ends well with a good lesson.
I much appreciate the efforts put into this.
Thank you #NetGalley for the copy of #Selfie.

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selfie Time!

Sylvie the squirrel loves selfies (gotta love those alliterations, am I right?!). Her social media is packed full of selfies (and most of them aren't really good, if I'm being honest. We need to get some pre-teens to teach her a lesson on selfie etiquette). When she's taking pictures of herself, she misses out on a lot of fun going on around her! On top of that, like most people who walk and text, she has no idea where she's going and that gets her into mischief! Will she learn to not be on her phone? Will her friends understand? Will she ever take a good quality selfie?!

I enjoyed the style of this book - it felt almost hand drawn mixed with cartoons. It's a subtle yet lovely style and it drew my attention in.

The theme of the book was interesting. Don't be on your phone all of the time, but also friends help each other out in hard times? It was hard to put my finger on but they both worked. Watch out for your friends, they might need to be reminded that life's meant to be full of fun! I know a lot of little ones who are obsessed with their devices, so I think this is one good way to introduce downtime and friendship to them. Honestly, this would be a lovely educational device when parents have to take their childrens' phones away from them.

My only criticism of this book was that I couldn't quite place what age group it was going for. Sometimes the sentences seemed better for an older 6-8 demographic and at times it felt more like it would be for 3-5 year olds. Either way, it's definitely a children's picture book and it worked well.

Overall, this book is a sweet, cute, little read that could be an excellent educational tool.

Four out of five stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Capstone Editions for giving me a chance to pick up this sweet book!

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This book is funny, probably more so to someone who's not a fan of selfies (like me) and especially to children especially with the hashtag captions, however it also includes a great message. That message is to not let life and fun times pass you by whilest being image conscious and self absorbed - which is what so much of the world is like today.
A fantastic read that will stick in my find as I'm sure it will to children too.

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Capstone Editions and NetGalley for making this book available to me in exchange for my honest opinion. A book about social media and the dangers of too much social media at a young age. I like this book, as Sylvia Squirrel suffers from too many selfies and posting photos on social media to the point where she misses out on life experiences. Good message, but I cannot understand all the use of #'s by her friends as they look for her which encourages more social media. Parents must be on guard against too much social media by children of a tender age, but then again there is no need for small children to have access to those devices and phones at that age.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

That is one selfie-obsessed squirrel!

I understand the point this book is trying to make, but I'm kind of disturbed that it even needs to exist for the age group in question. Are kids who are young enough to read a book about talking squirrels old enough to be posting pictures of themselves online without parental guidance? There's a weird mismatch here between what Sylvie's doing with her phone (she runs her own Instagram account, and spells well enough to include decipherable hashtags on all her photos) and the rest of her friends (who are playing on playground equipment in the manner of preschoolers).

The book is kind of preachy, but again, I question whether it needs to be. It seems like adults would be the ones who really need this (especially if they're so busy posting selfies that they don't know what their kids are doing with their phones).

I like the hashtags that are used cleverly throughout (especially when the animals go on their quest to find their friend). But I don't like the normalizing of frantic selfie-taking for this age group. Yes, Sylvie realizes the error of her ways, but in real life, it's not that simple. Kids are getting addicted to their devices at younger and younger ages, and without a parent to take away the phone and say, "Go outside and play!" I kind of doubt that most kids would decide to do so on their own after reading a picture book.

If you can even get them to put down the phone long enough to read a book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone Editions for providing a digital ARC.

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original adventure and a much original way to tell a story mostly by the selfie the character is taking (I'm not a fan of selfie, I never take one, but this book is funny anyway, maybe even more, if you don,t like those so don't worry!!). Funny, well illustrated, good message. Very well done!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful way to introduce appropriate use of the internet and social media to young children. With beautiful illustrations, cute characters and an easy to follow story, Selfie shows young readers the importance of looking away from screens and seeing the world around them. Highly recommend to parents and teachers!

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Capstone Editions and NetGalley for making this book available to me in exchange for my honest opinion. A book about social media and the dangers of too much social media at a young age. I like this book, as Sylvia Squirrel suffers from too many selfies and posting photos on social media to the point where she misses out on life experiences. Good message, but I cannot understand all the use of #'s by her friends as they look for her which encourages more social media. Parents must be on guard against too much social media by children of a tender age, but then again there is no need for small children to have access to those devices and phones at that age.

[kb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Selfie by Sandy Horsley appears so simple but what a solid book. Great way to remind kids and adults alike how social media isn't everything, and how dangerous it can be. Love the art, too. So cute 😍 Highly recommended to parents whose kids are starting to get obsessed with gadgets, youchoob, tiktok, etc, and want them off those






Everything I read in 2020 here :)

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First impressions - right off the bat, this cover is adorable! I especially love how hashtags are added in and a sort of Instagram-worthy page of pictures introduces us to Sylvie's love of selfies. I like the fact that this book can be applied to the current generation and how everyone is always on their phone while walking and not paying attention to any of their surroundings. Sandy Horsley does a wonderful job of showing how social media and technology starts at a young age.

[W.T. Kosmos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun picture book with great illustrations and a positive message and lessons about overuse of technology and in this case, selfies.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very relevant to today's kids (and adults too). It brings a positive life lesson to those obsessed with their digital buddies, in this case, their smart phones.

Sandy Horsely, the author, highlights the importance of face-to-face friendship and not FaceTime friendships. Real time encounters are truly the best, just ask Sylvie, the Squirrel, who is enamoured with taking selfies. Anytime, anywhere, she is pumped to click, click, click. Her friends want her to come and join them in play but Sylvie dismisses their invitations and chooses to go off by herself with her BFF friend, her phone, and take selfies of everything that catches her eye. She's always on the look out for the next photo opportunity.

She is so immersed in her photo shoot that she wanders off into the deep dark woods not watching where she is going. She passes the sign... DANGER KEEP OUT... and is confronted by grave danger. Her friends become very concerned for her safety and go off to locate her. They stick close together and finally find her and rescue her from a very scary situation.

This debut book is a wonderful way to discuss and introduce the proper use of the internet and social media to young children. The message is positive and educational. It's important to put down the screens ( no matter what form they take ) and tune into your friendships in real time and the wonderful world around you.

The illustrations enrich the text and are very kid-friendly. The book is a perfect catalyst to spark conversations about staying in the present moment and to acquire boundaries when using social media. I highly recommend this book.

[Ess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Selfie was a perfect example of a really great concept that would appeal to this new generation of children, but instead the idea became lost in a confusing melee of disjointed story turns.
Sylvie Squirrel is infatuated with her selfie taking hobby, and her friends (for some reason) are not okay with this. Sylvie enters the ‘Dark Woods’ because she doesn’t see where she is going while following her selfie stick into new photo opportunities. Throughout the entire story Sylvie never senses that she is in danger because she is so consumed with her selfie taking, therefore as the reader I am never fearful for Sylvie’s life being in danger.
I also thought the hashtags were poorly executed, overdone and silly— not in a good way. It was very hard to read this story out loud because the entire time I was reading ‘hashtag’ this and ‘hashtag’ that which was nonsensical to read. This story needed a big-time edit and a big-time overhaul because it couldn’t decide whether it wanted to be a picture hash- tagged on instagram, or a children’s book with a light-hearted message to pay attention to your surroundings and those who care for you— something I only know it was supposed to be about because I used context clues. Oy.

I received an ARC from the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations and hashtags were so much fun. Whether all about selfies or a hobby of taking pictures and enjoying nature, the messages are the same. Be aware of your surroundings. And don’t let a fun hobby keep you away from friends and daily happenings.

This is a simple book that brings up enough various thoughts, such as ignoring surroundings, obsession with anything, ignoring friends, and even the love and friendship of squirrels who worried about their friend.

What Concerned Me
My biggest concern is probably the age group this book would fit. Though I know little ones learn very early about electronics, I don’t see them grasping hashtags and selfies as a topic of interest.

And the text and pictures weren’t quite funny enough or have a hook that would attract older readers.

What I Liked Most
The message this book offers is very appropriate – – for all ages. Yes, it applies to us too, adults.

The topic was handled well and I loved that friends cared enough to search for Squirrel. They were not judgemental, just concerned.

Thank you, NetGalley and Capstone Editions for providing a digital ARC.

more reviews at https://pickagoodbook.com

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy stories that point out the dangers of too much social media and technology. In this story Sylvie the Squirrel is obsessed with taking Selfies. She is so obsessed, that she misses what is happening around her. I loved that her friends were there for her, showing that being with your friends is more important. I am lucky that my grandkids are not obsessed with phones and pictures. I know that will probably change when they get older, so planting the seed early might help. After reading this one and enjoying it, I read it to them again and we talked about the problems with Sylvie not appreciating her friends that were there physically instead of taking pictures of herself. We also talked about people who are constantly on their phones instead of talking to each other and doing things together. A wonderful message for everyone, including parents who might be reading this one to their little ones. I also think this would be a good book to read to primary students while doing a character development and friendship theme. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley from Capstone. My 5-year-old son gave Selfie 5 stars, but I’m giving it a rounded up 4. My son is enamored by the idea and the physical-ness of taking selfie’s with a phone, which I guess is the huge motivator for this story. Sylvie is distracted from the world because she is busy taking selfie’s. She finds herself in a frightful situation and her friends have to save her. Now, she sees the importance of spending time with her friends. While my son loved the story, I think the ending needed a little bit more to slam it home. Overall, a good story for the ages 4-7 crowd that are growing up digital natives. Hopefully, they will see the importance of balancing technology and physical relationships and not just want to take more pictures, LOL!

[Pooja Banga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a free copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

Social media starts at an early age, and debut author/illustrator Sandy Horsley brings that issue to the forefront in this timely picture book. Selfies are fun, but nothing is more fun than being a good friend and living in the moment.

This is a story about a squirrel who loves clicking selfies and is missing out all the fun .

One day she goes into the dark woods without realising and clicks selfies,while her friends are busy finding her.


The days are gone when kids used to go out and play .Now kids as well as adults are on phones everytime .


Go out and have fun!!

There is a world outside

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This book is perfect. I see so much of this in kids today who can't stay away from their phone. They are so ingrained that they need selfies not just let's take pictures of what we're doing but I need a picture of myself. It's extremely narcissistic and we're allowing it and even considering it okay. What I love about this book is that it's for the youngest of children, like my nephew who's five, and it not only shows what you miss out on, but the bad things that can happen when you are so glued to your phone. The simplicity of this message is perfect. It works, it gets the point across, it's fantastic, and it's a five-star read.

[Zelie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm..
we can read it like scrolling through instagram's feed (u know, where Sylvie, the main character, share all the selfie)

The drawings is cute and I love it, but I don't really like the layout. I mean, more like the font of balloon's chat, the colors of the font sometimes too bold that not really match the illustration's tone. I don't know if I say it well XD

But anyway, it is a good book, with a message for the reader to be present, not busy looking for something new/interesting, and be grateful with what we have

StayAtHome, Sylvie :P

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think, while timely, this book had many good lessons for children. Sylvie the Squirrel loves taking selfies so much that she misses out on all the fun of playing with her friends, then misses the warning signs and gets herself lost in the forest. But never fear; her loyal friends band together (literally) and brave the dark forest to rescue their friend. And in the end, Sylvie notices all the fun her friends are having in the background of all her selfies and she sees what she was missing all along!

[Lindsey Lawntea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes, being present is great, but selfies and pictures are fine as long as you’re not doing them excessively. As someone who has had loved ones lose their memories to Alzheimer’s, pictures and videos are extremely meaningful. One day I may not be able to remember the memories without a picture. I wish the author had made it more clear that Sylvie could still enjoy the occasional selfie in moderation, or maybe even use her talents to become a photographer for the group, rather than this whole “selfies and pictures are bad, live in the moment” attitude I see a lot of these days.

[Kathy Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is cute story that teaches a child not be be so self- absorbed with technology, but instead to focus on friends.. Sylvie is a squirrel obsessed with taking photos of herself on her phone. She misses out on all the fun at the playground. When the animals realize that she has gone into the deep dark woods they form a chain to rescue her from a big, black bear. She finds out that photos should include others and show someone having a great time.

[Neha Thakkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book about when selfies become too much. Sylvie loves selfies. So much so that she misses a lot of what happening right around her, along with never looking where she’s going. Sylvie gets some amazing selfies in the dark deep woods! Will she find her way out before the glowing eyes find her? Would be great for a digital citizenship unit, I would pair with Me, Myselfie, and I by Jamie Lee Curtis and Unplugged by Steve Anthony.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations, very cute characters, and a moral I think more people need to take note of. This book doesn't say selfies are bad. But it does remind us that getting a good picture and the perfect hashtag is way less important than enjoying life and that sometimes getting the perfect shot just isn't worth it. I thought it was pretty funny that Sylvie has zero followers but her friends use her Instagram to figure out where she is.

A copy of the book was provided by the publisher.

[Aimée]

Eichhörnchen Sylvie ist "Selfie"-süchtig. Sie verpasst all den Spaß mit ihren Freunden! Als sie eines Tages nicht aufpasst und im dunklen gefährlichen Wald landet, müssen ihre Freunde sie retten gehen... Ist es nicht fürchterlich, dass es dafür ein Buch gibt? Schlimmer, ein Fast-Bilderbuch mit echt wenig Text für die kleineren Leseratten. Ich weiß echt nicht, was ich von diesem Buch halten soll.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for both children and parents. It shows the importance of putting our phones down and appreciating the world around us. Sylvia’s story teaches readers to be in the moment and appreciate life offscreen. I think this will be a wonderful story time read while parents are in the room so they can see how their use of screens impacts their children.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good little read! With a valuable lesson! It is endearing to me that regardless of how self absorbed Sylvie became her friends were there for her when she was in danger. Her life became so much fun when she chose to pay attention to something other than herself! We could, all of us, learn this lesson!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the message of this book. Everyone is so obsessed with their screens that they don't take the time to live life. This message is portrayed in a way that kids will understand. The illustrations are fun and eye catching.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hilarious and relevant book about the obsession with selfies and social media. A selfie-loving squirrel ignores all the wonders around her and even endangers herself because she’s focused on her phone and capturing good selfies. This is a great reminder that we need to put the phones down and appreciate who and what surrounds us.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really lovely simple picture book about a squirrel that is completely stuck in the digital world. This book has an extremely important message that is definitely very relevant for today's kids. I particularly like the art style, and think that young children will enjoy this too.