Ida B by Katherine Hannigan

     
     Okay guys. I have decided to mix it up and start a new mini-series on this blog reviewing a few of my childhood favorites. And these aren't just any old kids' books meant to simply entertain. They all have deep, profound messages that carried well into my adulthood and make me reflect back on how important these lessons were, and how they have helped me grow and shape me into the person I am today. The morals of each story not only apply to children or teenagers, but grown adults as well. We can all learn something here.
     Man. There's just something so fun and nostalgic about delving into books of days past. I get to relive the magic (and also the heartbreak) of my childhood. But there's this sense of awe and wonder that comes with perusing through your old books. I challenge you guys to take a look at your own collection and enjoy reminiscing. Young narrators always have this idealistic, colorful view of the world around them.
     The first novel I wanted to mention is Ida B by Katherine Hannigan. The reason being is that I was Ida B. I didn't notice it then, but looking back, everything she went through and everything she felt mirrored my own life. 

     The book is basically about a quirky, particular little girl (Ida B) reveling in the fun, magical experiences of childhood. Everything is as it should be -- easy and beachy-keen. She enjoys drawing, building little boats to sail down the river, talking to the trees, eating her McIntosh apples, building forts, playing with her pets, trying wacky experiments, and gazing at the stars at night. The only thing she has to worry about in life is not having time to do all she wants in a day, with her only hindrance being having to do the dishes. At this point in her life, she is carefree and does not feel the pressures or worries of the adult world. However, that is soon about to change. As children, I feel like we are invincible. But we are not immune from the pain and problems of this life. And this story basically describes a child encountering them for the first time, and how she deals with it. The book explains how her mother gets cancer, her dad is always worried, there's trouble at their orchard, and she makes the big transition from being homeschooled to attending a public elementary school. All these changes are things Ida B doesn't quite yet understand, as the world she knows and loves is turned upside down and everything that once was is now stripped away and taken from her. She doesn't understand why things have to suddenly be different, and as a result her heart becomes hard. She goes from this kind and joyful little girl to one that is cold, unwilling, guarded, and difficult to understand. As she explores her newfound emotions, it takes the help of a patient teacher, her parents, and her own personal reflection to help her navigate the whirlwind of events and heal. 

     This story is.... beautiful. It is so realistic and relatable because I'm sure there are many little girls out there who are going through strange, unfamiliar changes in their lives that their minds just aren't ready to accept. But like everyone else in the world, they too must adapt and adjust. And the way in which that happens is different for everyone. What's important is that we allow ourselves to feel and grow and not allow ourselves to become overwhelmed with negative thoughts. Our whole outlook must remain open-minded and our actions must still exude love, no matter what storms we must brave or what life throws at us. And that is something I personally had to learn growing up. It was difficult, but I made it.
     Overall, the concepts or morals in this story are crucial for any little girl to remember. It is a wonderful coming-of-age-story where a little girl matures and has to develop a worldview. It illustrates how she has to accept change and face reality, and it shows how she eventually must forgive those who wronged her, as well as not hold grudges towards people whose actions were beyond their control. This book teaches that change is inevitable, but we can choose how to respond to it. It teaches us that there is more than one way to say things, do things, and listen to things. It teaches that we have to go through hard times in order to evolve and grow as a person, that sadness or depression often goes unnoticed or presents itself in unexpected, peculiar ways, and that both happiness AND pain are best shared with a friend, or someone you love. It teaches that even if things turn out okay, they may not always be perfect and that's okay, too. 
     To conclude, this is a must-read for every little girl in existence. To anyone who is reading this blog post -- little girls (way to go), teens, adult women -- read it for yourself or read this book to your child. Or plan to do it once you have a child. For me, personally, it really helped me put into perspective everything I was going through when I was younger and express it in a tangible way. This book sparkles with humor, humanity, and all the ways in which we must choose to love when life takes a turn for the worst. (Or what we think is the worst at the time, to our little minds ;) ).

     I hope you guys enjoyed this review! As always, feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below! I'm super excited for my next post in this series! Can't wait to show you guys :)