Little Squarehead

Rating:
Summary: An uplifting, powerful, and highly recommended story
Review: A simple and appealing story by Peggy O'Neill that is brought vividly to life with the stunning artwork of Denise Freeman, Little Squarehead is the touching, full-color picturebook of Rosa, a lonely young girl who is different from other people because her head is square-shaped. Teased by classmates, she runs to a clear pool, and a voice within the waters gives her three eternally precious gifts: Courage, Confidence, Compassion. Little Squarehead is an uplifting, powerful, and highly recommended story for young readers, preschool through first grade..

Rating:
Summary: inspiring
Review: Anyone who has been teased knows the pain of feeling different. When Rosa hears children chanting, "Here comes Rosa Redhead. She's a little Squarehead..." she retreats to the forest where she discovers the gifts of Courage, Confidence and Compassion, which change her life forever. This exceptional book that teaches children to understand the differences in people was written by Peggy O'Neill who is a 3'8" tall person.

Rating:
Summary: A simple tale of learning heart-centeredness
Review: Pleasant illustrations. Suitable for 4-7 year-olds. A simple tale of learning heart-centeredness that helps to overcome a physical distinctiveness that was inviting teasing and rejection by peers.

While the story is a little facile, suggesting that a positive attitude will overcome all obstacles, its basic message is a healthy one, as in all of the books published by Illumination Arts.


Rating:
Summary: Magnificent Book About Self-Confidence
Review: Rosa is a lonely young girl, who suffers from being different than other people. For Rosa's head is shaped like a square, hence, Little Squarehead. She is teased by her classmates, and people about town, young and old, daily. But one day she runs deep into the forest to be alone, and there she encounters a mystical pool of clear water, where she is amazed to see that there is a diamond in the reflection of her heart. She is quickly told by a gentle voice that "This diamond mirrors the beauty that shines within you," and finds self-confidence within herself.

I love finding books that will lift the spirits of a child who has been picked on or teased, and I feel that Peggy O'Neill's LITTLE SQUAREHEAD is the absolute best book on this subject, for it presents the situation in a clear, easy light, that will be understood by even the youngest child. The wonderful prose is delightful, while the illustrations keep you turning the pages at a rapid rate to see what lies beyond. This is a magnificent book that is a must have for all.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Rating:
Summary: An endearing tale that I highly recommend!
Review: This is the endearing "Once upon a time..." story of a little girl named Rosa who is teased and ridiculed by her classmates because she is different - she has a square-shaped head! Her hair is beautiful and her smile is radiant, but she has grown to believe that she is ugly because of the unfeeling taunts she painfully endures.

As the story unfolds, we discover the magical way Rosa is helped to overcome the merciless mockery and ridicule of others to find her true self...her own inner beauty. Deep in a forest, where Rosa fled to cry, she is given three gifts by a wondrous and melodious voice emanating from a luminous clear pool. These gifts - courage, confidence, and compassion - enable her to accept herself and to share her new found knowledge with others.

***** I highly recommend Little Squarehead, not only for those children who suffer teasing, but also for those children who DO the teasing. Reading it with your child could also be valuable, because there are significant and important lessons to be learned within its pages. This book is inspiring and refreshing, and the illustrations are colorful, bold, and beautifully done. As an added bonus there are many animals and insects, as well as fifteen (15) different types of roses, on each page playing "hide and seek" for the young reader to find. *****

Reviewed by Ruth Wilson.