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Elle of Portuana
Elle is from a small town by the beach named Portuana. She loves trees, nature, and saving money. This picture book takes a child into Elle’s world. The child then sees how Elle ties all her passions together. The picture book aims at inculcating these essential traits in young children so that they grow up to be environmentally conscious and have a balanced life.
- GenresPicture Books
25 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2020
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 28, 2020
Elle of Portuana is a lovely, little picture book about a girl who sells seashells and wants to plant more trees.
The plot is quite thin in this book, but it is sweet nonetheless. I wanted a little more "umph" from the plot, since I wasn't entirely sure what was going to happen. The book just sort of... ends. I was hoping maybe our little friend would spend her coins on a new tree or plant, or maybe donate her money to a good cause! Unfortunately, it just ended with Portuana dreaming of more trees.
I think this book would be a great story for educators to read and add onto it. There could be questions at the end for how the students would finish the book or continue on as Portuana. Otherwise, it's a really pretty book! If you're looking for pretty, this book will do!
I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. The colours were rich and saturated, making this book stand out among it's peers. That was the ultimate highlight of this book for me.
Overall, this book is nice but it's missing something for me as a reader.
Two out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book!
The plot is quite thin in this book, but it is sweet nonetheless. I wanted a little more "umph" from the plot, since I wasn't entirely sure what was going to happen. The book just sort of... ends. I was hoping maybe our little friend would spend her coins on a new tree or plant, or maybe donate her money to a good cause! Unfortunately, it just ended with Portuana dreaming of more trees.
I think this book would be a great story for educators to read and add onto it. There could be questions at the end for how the students would finish the book or continue on as Portuana. Otherwise, it's a really pretty book! If you're looking for pretty, this book will do!
I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. The colours were rich and saturated, making this book stand out among it's peers. That was the ultimate highlight of this book for me.
Overall, this book is nice but it's missing something for me as a reader.
Two out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book!
March 28, 2020
Elle of Portuana is a lovely, little picture book about a girl who sells seashells and wants to plant more trees.
The plot is quite thin in this book, but it is sweet nonetheless. I wanted a little more "umph" from the plot, since I wasn't entirely sure what was going to happen. The book just sort of... ends. I was hoping maybe our little friend would spend her coins on a new tree or plant, or maybe donate her money to a good cause! Unfortunately, it just ended with Portuana dreaming of more trees.
I think this book would be a great story for educators to read and add onto it. There could be questions at the end for how the students would finish the book or continue on as Portuana. Otherwise, it's a really pretty book! If you're looking for pretty, this book will do!
I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. The colours were rich and saturated, making this book stand out among it's peers. That was the ultimate highlight of this book for me.
Overall, this book is nice but it's missing something for me as a reader.
Two out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book!
The plot is quite thin in this book, but it is sweet nonetheless. I wanted a little more "umph" from the plot, since I wasn't entirely sure what was going to happen. The book just sort of... ends. I was hoping maybe our little friend would spend her coins on a new tree or plant, or maybe donate her money to a good cause! Unfortunately, it just ended with Portuana dreaming of more trees.
I think this book would be a great story for educators to read and add onto it. There could be questions at the end for how the students would finish the book or continue on as Portuana. Otherwise, it's a really pretty book! If you're looking for pretty, this book will do!
I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. The colours were rich and saturated, making this book stand out among it's peers. That was the ultimate highlight of this book for me.
Overall, this book is nice but it's missing something for me as a reader.
Two out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book!
March 28, 2020
This is a bit of a strange little book that's probably too vague for children to really appreciate.
Elle wants to plant more trees. So she finds seashells, sells them, and makes a few coins.
That's literally the whole plot. Unfortunately, it's kind of weak. The book ends with Elle dreaming about Portuana having more trees, but that thought is not connected to the money. So the reader has to remember that, on the first page she wanted to plant more trees. (Whether children will be able to connect Elle's piggy-bank coins with her desire to plant trees remains to be seen.) I actually forgot about Elle's desire because the way Portuana is depicted might make one wonder why it needs more trees at all. It's already got tons!
The illustrations themselves look like they were done digitally. There's a strange mix of cartoonish shapes and impressionism that don't really seem to blend very well. I'm also not a fan of the rather large boat illustration that holds the page number on every other page; it's distracting and unnecessary.
I can't really recommend this one. It would have had more impact if Elle had been trying to solve a problem (a lack of trees) and the story had made clear how she was going to do that (earning money to buy seedlings to plant).
Thank you to NetGalley and Austin Macauley Publishers LLC for providing a digital ARC.
Elle wants to plant more trees. So she finds seashells, sells them, and makes a few coins.
That's literally the whole plot. Unfortunately, it's kind of weak. The book ends with Elle dreaming about Portuana having more trees, but that thought is not connected to the money. So the reader has to remember that, on the first page she wanted to plant more trees. (Whether children will be able to connect Elle's piggy-bank coins with her desire to plant trees remains to be seen.) I actually forgot about Elle's desire because the way Portuana is depicted might make one wonder why it needs more trees at all. It's already got tons!
The illustrations themselves look like they were done digitally. There's a strange mix of cartoonish shapes and impressionism that don't really seem to blend very well. I'm also not a fan of the rather large boat illustration that holds the page number on every other page; it's distracting and unnecessary.
I can't really recommend this one. It would have had more impact if Elle had been trying to solve a problem (a lack of trees) and the story had made clear how she was going to do that (earning money to buy seedlings to plant).
Thank you to NetGalley and Austin Macauley Publishers LLC for providing a digital ARC.
March 24, 2020
Planting tress is an excellent way to improve the air quality and take care of the world. The story of Elle of Portuana is about environmental stewardship. Her goal is to increase the number of trees in her small town by the beach named Portuana. Elle loves trees, nature, and watching sun sets. She appreciates the wonder of the world around her. She also likes to save money. Children can see how she lives her life and how she ties all her passions together. This a beautifully illustrated book. The pictures are so striking that you can imagine the place where she lives. The narrative is age appropriate and the storyline flows smoothly. I like this book because I think it will peak children’s imagination and provide parents with an opportunity to reinforce the importance of being stewards to this beautiful world, appreciating its beauty, saving your money and living with passion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 28, 2020
Elle of Portuana is an absolutely beautiful story! Elle sets an excellent example for children everywhere. She is unreserved in her approach to life. Her kindness, innocence, curiosity, and intelligence are what children today need as a guide to grow into the adults this world needs to ensure that our planet and humanity survive. I highly recommend the book to share with children and adults alike. There is so much we can all learn from Elle.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 2, 2020
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
There is a great meaning behind this book but unfortunately it was too short and too vague for children to really understand or recognise the meaning the book is trying to teach. The book had great potential but needs much more putting into the story itself.
There is a great meaning behind this book but unfortunately it was too short and too vague for children to really understand or recognise the meaning the book is trying to teach. The book had great potential but needs much more putting into the story itself.
March 18, 2020
Nope didn't like it. The message is good, but the way it try to pass it and to the age of the reader it try to pass it too, just don't make much sense from my perspective... It also has a bad page editing for the ARC version I got, where we always see a small portion of the next page, or previous age in the margin (left or right depending), need more editing!
December 12, 2019
Relevant
I'll recommend this book to every family. The message in it is succinct and relevant. I look forward to seeing more work from this Author.
I'll recommend this book to every family. The message in it is succinct and relevant. I look forward to seeing more work from this Author.
April 10, 2020
This is a short picture book to read with a child rather than to encourage their reading.
The book is the work of author Samuel Narh. Written from a viewpoint that values he had as a child growing up in Ghana, West Africa are not held in such high esteem.
He strives to share a sense of wonder, the stewardship of our plants, trees and environment and the saving of our wealth - his childhood memory of a piggy bank is introduced here for good measure.
That apart Elle is not Samuel and her story radiates from these pages.
I am grateful to the publishers and NetGalley in allowing me to read an advanced reader’s copy.
I fell in love with the young girl Elle on the first page. She is busy and industrious as we find out, but from the start of her day she wakes with a smile.
She has purpose to plant and see new trees but aside from this we find her a play on the beach as any young child. What marks her out as special is her observation and delight in nature. Alongside of which she has an entrepreneurial outlook. She only relaxing and takes in the beauty of her surroundings once she has collected seven seashells.
These are not to decorate her room but to sell at the market for the best price possible. We know she has a project in mind as she saves these coins in her piggy bank which is nearly full.
Beautifully illustrated I enjoyed a day in Elle’s life charged with purpose and future desire. A means to an end but not wasted in toil and worry. Time taken out to watch the beauty of the day and marvel at the changing colours as the sun sets. I will be a family favourite for any child as Elle is engaging and easily identifiable. There is no force of message or sermon into save your money and save the planet. No it is a simple story of a bright young girl in time with her life and with a joy of the world around her.
The reader has no role but to read these simple words and show the rich illustrations - you will field many questions as the story will tease out enquiry and perhaps bring Elle’s countenance to their faces.
The book is the work of author Samuel Narh. Written from a viewpoint that values he had as a child growing up in Ghana, West Africa are not held in such high esteem.
He strives to share a sense of wonder, the stewardship of our plants, trees and environment and the saving of our wealth - his childhood memory of a piggy bank is introduced here for good measure.
That apart Elle is not Samuel and her story radiates from these pages.
I am grateful to the publishers and NetGalley in allowing me to read an advanced reader’s copy.
I fell in love with the young girl Elle on the first page. She is busy and industrious as we find out, but from the start of her day she wakes with a smile.
She has purpose to plant and see new trees but aside from this we find her a play on the beach as any young child. What marks her out as special is her observation and delight in nature. Alongside of which she has an entrepreneurial outlook. She only relaxing and takes in the beauty of her surroundings once she has collected seven seashells.
These are not to decorate her room but to sell at the market for the best price possible. We know she has a project in mind as she saves these coins in her piggy bank which is nearly full.
Beautifully illustrated I enjoyed a day in Elle’s life charged with purpose and future desire. A means to an end but not wasted in toil and worry. Time taken out to watch the beauty of the day and marvel at the changing colours as the sun sets. I will be a family favourite for any child as Elle is engaging and easily identifiable. There is no force of message or sermon into save your money and save the planet. No it is a simple story of a bright young girl in time with her life and with a joy of the world around her.
The reader has no role but to read these simple words and show the rich illustrations - you will field many questions as the story will tease out enquiry and perhaps bring Elle’s countenance to their faces.
October 17, 2020
Elle loves the natural beauty of Portuana! In the mornings, the glorious sunshine greets her when she awakes! At the beach Elle builds magnificent sandcastles, and collects beautiful seashells as she runs from the waves along the seashore! This time of year, the leaves on the trees are changing into magnificent oranges, reds, yellows, and purples! Elle watches the sunset under their canopy. And in the evenings, as the moon rises high and bright in the sky, it whispers, "Good night," and Elle knows it's time to head home.
🍂
The seven seashells Elle collected on the beach are sold at the market by the bay. Elle adds this money to her almost full piggy bank. Elle has big dreams for the money she is saving. Dreams of a Portuana with even more trees! Trees that will add more beauty to her world!
🍂
Elle's story is one of appreciation of the natural beauty all around us! It is also a story of determination, and the importance of saving and investing towards your dreams and your future!
🍂
We received this review copy from Samuel Narh in exchange for our honest review!
🍂
The seven seashells Elle collected on the beach are sold at the market by the bay. Elle adds this money to her almost full piggy bank. Elle has big dreams for the money she is saving. Dreams of a Portuana with even more trees! Trees that will add more beauty to her world!
🍂
Elle's story is one of appreciation of the natural beauty all around us! It is also a story of determination, and the importance of saving and investing towards your dreams and your future!
🍂
We received this review copy from Samuel Narh in exchange for our honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2020
What a beautiful book which teaches us to save our environment , our planet and our beaches.
A little girl Elle lives in Portuana by the beach and she wants to plant more trees in her town so she collected seashells and try to sell them for planting more trees.
This book actually shows 'A little thinking makes a big difference ' . Determination of Elle also teaches us that anyone can do anything if they have will power .
I loved reading this book with my son and we thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
This book actually a beautiful thought which crafted very beautifully on paper. Colorful and beautiful illustrations makes this book a wonderful read specially for kids who has lot to learn from this book.
A little girl Elle lives in Portuana by the beach and she wants to plant more trees in her town so she collected seashells and try to sell them for planting more trees.
This book actually shows 'A little thinking makes a big difference ' . Determination of Elle also teaches us that anyone can do anything if they have will power .
I loved reading this book with my son and we thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
This book actually a beautiful thought which crafted very beautifully on paper. Colorful and beautiful illustrations makes this book a wonderful read specially for kids who has lot to learn from this book.
September 21, 2020
Oh wow, I really really loved this book. Elle is so beautiful and loves nature, she loves to explore and her love for mother earth and surrounding is infinite. This book will definitely evoke love for natural resources and surroundings in kids and it's a great way to introduce them to many new things. I really loved the vibe of the story, it feels so natural and real. I really liked the fact that, it's so easy to understand and read, yet the motive behind it is so deep and well thought.
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The story is filled with many beautiful and colorful illustrations which makes it more unique. Again, I would say, children will love to befriend Elle and will learn so much from her. I will definitely recommend it to everyone. It's one of my most favorite reads.
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Rating: 4.75🌟
March 28, 2020
Elle is a little girl who wants to plant more trees in Portuana, the place where she lives. To earn some money, she goes to the seashore to collect shells and then she sells them to the traders at the market.
The pictures are very beautiful. The story is sweet and shows us how to follow our dreams. I’m sure children are going to enjoy a great deal with this beautiful book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
The pictures are very beautiful. The story is sweet and shows us how to follow our dreams. I’m sure children are going to enjoy a great deal with this beautiful book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 8, 2020
What a good read. Kids will love this story and the wonderful illustrations that go with the story. Elle is a wonderful character and the book is a fun way to tell her story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 18, 2021
Very weak story; the illustration of the little girl was very cute, but the story didn't take us anywhere that we cared about. very bare bones.
September 26, 2020
A big thank you to author Samuel Narh for sending me a review copy of his book, Elle of Portuana. There is so much to love about his character, Elle. She is super independent and spends an entire day by herself taking in the lovely scenery at the beach. She wakes up with a smile on her face, ready to tackle the day and accomplish her goal of selling her seashell collection in order to earn money (I wish I had more of her morning-person personality!). She is a sharp businesswoman who knows what the seashells she collects at the beach are worth at the market. Elle is a nature lover who wants to add to her lush environment by planting more trees.
Not a lot "happens" in this book and that's what I like about it. Children reading this book independently can take their time to look at and admire the illustrations of nature from daybreak to evening. Teachers and parents can use the book to open up discussions about environmentalism and setting and achieving personal goals. There's also plenty of opportunities to ask prediction and inference questions (e.g., How long do you think it took Elle to save all this money? What will she do with the money she saved?).
Not a lot "happens" in this book and that's what I like about it. Children reading this book independently can take their time to look at and admire the illustrations of nature from daybreak to evening. Teachers and parents can use the book to open up discussions about environmentalism and setting and achieving personal goals. There's also plenty of opportunities to ask prediction and inference questions (e.g., How long do you think it took Elle to save all this money? What will she do with the money she saved?).
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews