OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "South Shore Elementary Best Friends Series: Leigh Anne & Ellie" by Clarice Williams.]

Elementary school teachers looking for books that demonstrate problem-solving skills need to add this book to their school library. Author Clarice Williams's creation shows how two friends overcome a difficulty by working together. The girls' different personalities and abilities add to the team-building aspect.

This is book one in the South Shore Elementary Best Friends Series, and the subtitle, Leigh Anne & Ellie, explains that the story is about the two girls who are shown hugging each other on the front cover. Two other children are also on the cover, which implies that the other books in the series will be about those classmates.

Unique color choices (lavender, orange, and pink) for the cover make the book stand out. TulipStudio is credited with the illustrations, and they are outstanding. I like the emotions displayed on the children's faces, the attention to diversity, and the specific details in each scene. The choice to have a variety of different colored pages added to the enjoyment of the reading experience.

It is unclear if the setting is actually in the 60s or if it is intentionally retro. The classroom is shown with an outdated green chalkboard with actual chalk on the rail under the board. Ellie's living room is full of 60s decor, and Leigh Anne is shown calling her neighbors on a landline phone with a cord.

The plot centers around the girls making and selling lemonade to raise money to buy books at the school book fair. Ellie's mother has stated that they cannot afford to buy any books. This provides a good lesson in budgeting and responsibility. The author has thoughtfully included the lemonade recipe at the end of the book.

I am pleased to give this a rating of five out of five stars because there are no negatives to warrant a star deduction. Reading this book to children will encourage discussions about many essential topics. I look forward to reading other books in this series.

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South Shore Elementary Best Friends Series: Leigh Anne & Ellie
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Am so overwhelmed for this opportunity to be part of reading this book I enjoyed this book and it has given me much joy reading it

Your appreciation for the unique color choices on the cover and TulipStudio's outstanding illustrations—especially the emotions and diversity—really comes through. It's also interesting how you picked up on the potential "retro" setting, noting details like the chalkboard and landline phone.

Indeed, this is a very nice, pragmatic lesson on financial literacy. I am happy that the money is not raised for something else, but an important pursuit, education, which is a noteworthy investment. Many thanks for the review, @Diana Lowery.

I’d like to highlight how Leigh Anne & Ellie models emotional intelligence alongside problem-solving. The girls navigate disappointment, brainstorming, and teamwork with honesty and empathy, making the book a useful tool for social-emotional learning as well as academic enrichment.

This sounds like a lovely and purposeful children’s book! I really like how it blends fun storytelling with valuable lessons in teamwork, budgeting, and problem-solving. Plus, the retro touches and illustrations sound like a charming bonus. Thanks for the great review!