The One and Only Sparkella and the Big Lie

by Channing Tatum, Kim Barnes (Illustrator)

The One and Only Sparkella and the Big Lie continues actor, producer and director Channing Tatum's Sparkella picture book series, a charming ode to self-reliance and the love between father and daughter, illustrated by Kim Barnes.

Sparkella is excited for her first playdate with the super cool new kid at school, Wyatt. But she's worried that all of her toys and games at home are too old, too homemade, or too un -cool, so she decides to "borrow" a shiny racecar from her best friend, Tam, without asking.

When Tam is upset that her car is missing, Sparkella feels bad, but she can't seem to make herself tell the truth about taking the toy. To make things right with her friend, it'll take a little help from her dad to learn the importance of honesty and taking responsibility when you make a mistake.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

Published May 30, 2023

About the author

Channing Tatum has established himself as a leading actor, producer and now director with his debut film, DOG, which he is co-directing with his production partner, Reid Carolin. Together they founded their production company, Free Association along with Peter Kiernan. Free Association has produced the 21 Jump Street and Magic Mike franchises. They also produce the worldwide stage experience, Magic  Mike Live which premiered in Las Vegas and expanded to London, Berlin and Australia. However, his favorite role to date is being father to his six-year-old daughter, Everly, who loves sparkly, rainbow-y things. He currently resides in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Brittney Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girls are the perfect age for Sparkella and her sparkly shenanigans. In this one a there is a new kid in school that Sparkella is excited to have a playdate with but nervous about not having the coolest toy for him so she “borrows” her BFFs Tam’s race car. Which Tam then starts to lose her sparkle because she cannot find her favorite toy car. With lessons about making new friends and telling the truth this was a great addition to the series.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

these books are not equal ...i will explain ...book one is in the middle of the kindle FIRE screen ...but it allows for enlarging of the illustrations and text. so important ...book 2 doesn't allow for this feature??! no clue why not?!? book 3 ...will it takes up the whole screen. it is the full kindle FIRE screen ...that means there is no need to enlarge the illustrations or text ... i am not getting it??! how can it be so different??! i think it this must be an Amazon issue? right?!? the author/publisher are they in charge of that??! i wonder??! i want a "chameleon", these illustrations are way cool. love them!! we need some sparkle. stickers ...oh what fun!! this book we talk about the "turtle", finally. cute!! the tutu is always changing colors. these illustrations are perfect. so cute!!
i think we can all learn from Sparkella, when we need to take a breather, calm ourselves, recenter ourselves and relax a bit "breathe in 1-2-3-4 and out 1-2-3-4." go on ...try it ...
i really enjoy this series ...if you wanna call it that. i hope that somehow, they can make book 2 when reading through a kindle FIRE ... the chance to enlarge the illustrations and text ...please work on that it will greatly improve the reader's experience.

[Yaritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic colorful, sparkly book with a great story to teach kids not to take things without asking and not to lie. Sparkella reminds me so much of myself. She wears the funkiest clothes with pink and purple. I always enjoy the amazing illustrations that bring this story to life. This story is a great reminder that stealing from your friend is wrong even though you were borrowing the product to make someone else happy. You don't need to lie and steal. If someone wants to be your friend they will come with open arms.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sparkella returns and learns a valuable lesson about stealing and lying about it. Sparkella is worried about having a new friend over for a playdate. She takes Tam's remote control car so she has something Wyatt will think is cool. This one act is compounded by lies she has to tell and the lousy way she feels when Tam is sad. I appreciate the gentle way her dad listens and helps her resolve everything.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book matches the first book. The illustrations are great, and the story is too long and too wordy. However, when reading this book, I don’t hear or feel Channing Tatum, the author. It feels like it was put out by a habitual children’s writer that writes lesson story after lesson story for school publication. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s also not unique. And does make this stand out as just another celebrity picture book.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good lesson in how one lie can turn into another lie and then even more lies. Sparkella steals a car from her friend Tam to play with another friend, but she winds up telling a lot of lies about where she got the car from. A great book for teaching children not to take things that don't belong to them and not to lie when you've done something wrong because that just makes things even worse.

[Raven Black · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first, and probably last, Sparkella I will read. The entire book is fluffy and a celebrity pushed book. I have no opinion on the actor/author's performances on screen, but their books left me flat. And Kim Barnes, I am sure you are a lovely person, but the illustrations are cliched and were not enjoyable for me.

[Kizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blijft een leuke serie.