Beatrice is odd: she does her best thinking upside down, but it doesn’t make her any less creative or courageous or fun.

This is a wonderful start for a book that embraces differences. Not only that, it is a book centered on positivity and on highlighting it amongst others and bringing their positives to light.

A wonderful first book from an author who is an educator, the illustrations add that extra touch of funny and zany.

Perfect story for any girl who relishes the unique and  sees life from a completely different view. Unfortunately her teacher has plans to tame Beatrice, and her best friend changed over the summer. Easy to read, and similar to Beverly Cleary's "Ramona".

Beatrice Zinker Upside Down Thinker
By Shelley Johannes

This book was a break from all the doom and gloom I seem to be reading lately. Another pick from NetGalley, but not really what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be a middle grade reader (should have read the whole blurb), but Beatrice is just starting 3rd grade, so it's more of an early chapter book. In any case, it is a cute, quirky story, and Beatrice is the perfect character to represent those of us who like to think in an upside-down kind of way. Third grade is hard, and often, other girls can be thoughtless or mean; sadly, Beatrice learns this immediately. But she stays true to herself, something that is rare and inspiring. Wish this was around when my own daughters were in third grade, because truly, that year probably won't make the highlight reel. Grab a copy if your daughter is finishing second grade, and arm her with this; Beatrice's humor and spirit will provide the perfect encouragement if things do not go as well as planned.


For Goodreads:

Why I picked it — Because the illustrations reminded me of Charlie and Lola, and the story sounded offbeat.
Reminded me of… Pinky Dinky Doo, my kids loved this show, and she had some pretty peculiar ways of doing things, much like the upside-down thinker here.
For my full review — click here

Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker by Shelley Johannes is a children's chapter book all about Beatrice, who does her best thinking upsidedown. Hanging from trees by her knees, doing handstands, what ever. For Beatrice Zinker, upside down works every time. She was definitely upside down when she and her best friend, Lenny, agreed to wear matching ninja suits on the first day of third grade. But when Beatrice shows up at school dressed in black, Lenny arrives with a cool new outfit and a cool new friend. Even worse, she seems to have forgotten all about the top-secret operation they planned! Can Beatrice use her topsy-turvy way of thinking to save the mission, mend their friendship, and flip things sunny-side up?

Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker is a fun and relatable book for readers that think differently than those around her. I love that Beatrice is herself, even when she knows that it makes her different. While she does try to curb her impulses to fit the rules of teachers and family, she is still very much her own person. Adding the idea of friends changing and growing, and that we can like more than one kind of play or friendship is important. Kids change so much from year to year, and making it clear that it is normal and okay to change and alright to keep on being the same if that is what is right for you, is extremely important. The story is funny, sweet, and will speak to many children and adults that have never quite fit in the box that others have built for them.

Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker is a wonderful children's book that will be a great conversation starter about how people and friendships can change, and how being yourself is always the answer- although accepting others for who they are and become is equally important. I think this would be a great addition to school libraries, and I am putting it on my own wish list for my school.

Beatrice Zinker is more than just the humorous aspects of the nontraditional thinker. She's an absolute celebration of the unusual. Does her way of thinking get her in trouble? Of course it does, but it also gets her out of it. The element that Johannes really explores, unlike others of this genre, is how a non-traditional thinker can struggle to relate to family members and peers, especially as they get older and the pressure to fit in increases. A sweet and funny story with little nuggets of social truth.

Beatrice is spunky and does everything her own way, which is usually a bit different.  She does her best thinking upside down, and is excited about going to school on the first day of third grade in a ninja outfit.  Her best friend, Lenny is also supposed to be wearing her ninja outfit, but instead Lenny has changed.  She is taller and wearing a skirt and has a new friend who just moved to the neighborhood.  Beatrice has to learn how to include the new girl, Chloe and embrace Lenny's changes while still being her own, adventurous self.  This early chapter book has cute illustrations and I think that children in grades 1-4 will enjoy this book.

Beatrice has always been just a little unusual. She sees the world with a different perspective—literally. 

Beatrice does her best thinking upside down. Whether she is hanging from a tree limb, standing on her head, or swinging off the top bunk of her bed, Beatrice is happiest when her head is where her feet should be.

At the end of Second Grade, her teacher awarded her the “Best Upside Down Thinker” award.

But things have changed in Third Grade. Her teacher does “not tolerate upside down antics” in the classroom. And Beatrice’s best friend wants to play with a new student instead of be a ninja-outfit-clad spy with Beatrice!

This is a delightful chapter book that will charm readers from the first moment they meet Beatrice. Kids will root for Beatrice as she adjusts to life in a classroom with an unsympathetic teacher. They will cheer her on as she fights to win back her best friend.

The pictures on every page add to the story and give a little more insight into Beatrice’s character. In many pictures, Beatrice is hanging upside down in a tree. When she is not (or when the focus of the pictures is not on Beatrice), something in the picture often adds a little humor or a detail not found in the text.

Shelley Johannes is author and illustrator of Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker. On her website, www.shelleyjohannes.com, Ms. Johannes tells the story of the “evolution of Beatrice Zinker” in a fabulous biographical slideshow that includes many of her early sketches of Beatrice.

I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. I am looking forward to Beatrice Zinker’s next adventure!

Have you read any great books lately?

This book is fun and sweet, and appeals to that little piece inside all of us that doesn't "fit in" ..... And why should it?  Be yourself, just like Beatrice!

3.5 stars for this sweet story about a charming girl who embraces her uniqueness both at home and at school. This is a great friendship story. I love that Beatrice doesn't second guess her identity when things get tough, but finds a way to keep her best friend and maybe make a new one.

This a story children can easily and readily relate to. How do you handle friends drifting away and making new connections when you still want to hold on to them? 
I love the drawings of our upside down heroine. Gives the book a unique charm.

Beatrice Zinker does everything better upside down! Over summer break she's missing her best friend, Lenny, but they have a top secret plan once school is back in session! Only Lenny doesn't come in a matching ninja suit on the first day of third grade... no! She's totally different with not only a cool new look but also a cool new friend... and there doesn't seem to be a place for Beatrice.

I saw this on netgalley and it is the right reading age for my nephew so I thought we'd give it a go. My nephew really enjoyed reading a "bigger book" and said he liked it because it was funny. He didn't enjoy it the entire time we read though and struggled with making it to the end. The mass of words were too much for him and I had to switch and read one page and let him read a page, back and forth. It became less of a chore for him this way! If you have a child transitioning up from picture books this story is fun and zany and makes for a story that holds the interest of both parent and child.

The illustrations were wonderful and helped me hold my nephew's interest in the beginning! They really gave Beatrice tons of personality!! I honestly didn't find Beatrice believable as a character. Her entire motivation didn't seem to come from her as a person so much as an outside agenda. And Beatrice is so out there that I sympathized with Lenny! Once I went along with this other agenda I struggled less to get along with Beatrice. Don't get me wrong I liked WHO Beatrice was as a person, her insistence on doing things differently and her enjoyment in focusing on the individual. This disconnect for me probably stems from me being an adult and not a child!

    "Just because I'm upside down doesn't mean everyone has to be. Isn't that the whole point?"



While I found Beatrice's conclusions a stretch her idea to befriend Chloe or lose Lenny teaches a great lesson, especially for girls who naturally have interpersonal problems. Different is okay and why not all be friends! Be accepting of everyone's differences... ALL worthy messages. These can cause a discussion (especially with a girl) as they are all ideals that can be applied to a child's life.

We both struggled in the beginning as there seemed to be 3 chapters about breakfast! It just took a long time to setup who Beatrice is... but once we got to school it got much better. For the most part I was taken with the story as I wondered what this top secret mission was all about! Once you learn Beatrice's plan and see how she wins over Lenny again you are totally invested in the story.

The friendship between Beatrice and Lenny seemed real to how girls are as far as how they grow distant from one another and fall out of their relationship. It really struck home to me even as an adult that there could be a different way for things to turn out!

Beatrice's family is a strong presence in her life. She makes strides with her totally opposite sister due to what she learns with Lenny. And her dad was super cute! He has the idea to have dessert first ala Beatrice upside down due to her bad day! They got pineapple upside down cake!

    "Almost as good as bacon."


That is a dad! Knows just what you need when life gets you down, not overprotective but sympathetic.

BOTTOM LINE: A super upside down GIRL story!

This book is delightful and the illustrations are fun. The story is fast paced and a pretty quick read at 167 pages with a lot of illustrations. It is perfect for the reluctant Middle Grade aged reader, and would also be a fabulous chapter, or two, a night bedtime story for the younger crowd. It has themes of finding your place in family and peer groups, with friendship in the spotlight

Add Beatrice Zinker to names like Ramona, Junie B. and Clementine.  Beatrice's way of looking at the world is fresh and fun.  In this first installment Beatrice has a plan with her best friend Lenny which involves spying.  But, on the first day of school Beatrice finds out that Lenny has changed over the summer and is playing with a new girl Chloe.  Can Beatrice think of a creative way to keep her best friend and adjust to some changes?

very fun, reminds me of the overall beatrice or junie b jones type books

1.  Shelley Johannes deals with a really tough issue that I don’t find tackled much in books.  Maybe I’m not getting the right books for my little ones, but I am happy to have this one on the shelf.  It’s hard whenever friends change, and you’re not sure if they’re your friends anymore.

2.  I like that Beatrice makes a friend in Lenny.  It must be difficult to think differently from others, though Beatrice seems to be of strong character.  It’s so great for her to meet someone who will let her be herself.

3.  All the trouble starts when Lenny comes back from summer vacation without remembering any of her and Beatrice’s plans for the new school year.  Do I really like her?  Well, I don’t not not like her.  But I know exactly how Beatrice feels when she realizes that Lenny is not Lenny anymore.  I don’t think I ever really warm up to her.

4.  The good thing about Lenny, though, is that she doesn’t seem cruel.  Although she hangs out with the new girl, Chloe, instead of Beatrice, she does feel genuinely scared for Beatrice when the latter hurts herself.  It’s interesting to see things from Lenny’s perspective (but I'm still not sure I like her).

5.  I wasn’t a fan of the whole action of the story happening in one day.  I’m not sure why the author thought all of Beatrice’s plans would be better executed on the first day of school, but the story is short enough, so maybe there will be follow-up stories that explore the rest of the school year.  I think I would have found it better if it took a while for Beatrice and Lenny to have their important conversation.

6.  Johannes’ writing is fun, and I think all kids would enjoy Beatrice Zinker’s story.  The rhymes bounce off the tongue really well, but since the story is a mix of both prose and poetry, you won’t get tired of the rhymes after a while.  The illustrations are also wonderful.

I read this to my niece and she absolutely loved it and so did I! We laughed allot! Great book! Can't wait to read more from this author!

Beatrice Zinker does all of her best thinking upside down and dressed as a ninja. Her first word was "WOW" and she has no interest in doing things the same as everyone else. She spends her entire summer planning a top-secret spy operation to be carried out with her best friend Eleanor, "Lenny," but on the first day of third grade, Lenny shows up in a dress looking completely different with a new friend who insists on playing veterinarian at recess instead.

Beatrice struggles to find the upside of her current situation, but eventually winds up with two friends instead of one. The final chapter focuses on a rushed resolution with her sister, which I think could have been saved for a later book, but the whole of this book makes up for it. The frequent puns, humorous illustrations, and Beatrice's antics will make this book easily accessible to readers despite its page length. Beatrice is a kind, gentle, and easily lovable character. Children who enjoy Judy Moody, will find something to love in Beatrice.

Summary
Beatrice Zinker isn't like everyone else.  She is an upside down thinker.  Beatrice gets her best ideas when she is upside down.  Her special thinking skills are going to be put to the test now that third grade is starting.  Beatrice has a special mission that needs her best friend Lenny to help her accomplish.  But on the first day of school Lenny has a new friend and Beatrice isn't sure how to accomplish her mission and keep her best friend.

Review
There are books that when you read them you just know that kids are going to love them and "Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker" is definitely one of those.  Beatrice is adventurous and original in the vein of classic characters such as Romona and Clementine.  She does all those things that kids would like to do such as climb trees during recess and out thinks mean teachers all of which are illustrated in fun upside down images.  The characters, story, and illustrations fit together perfectly to create a must read for kids in 2nd-4th grade.

Beatrice Zinker Upside Down Thinker is my kind of protagonist and she would have easily been my go to bff if only we could have met in 3rd grade.  Oh to be different and figure out a way to navigate the world without losing your charisma and uniqueness is a challenge so often experienced throughout childhood.  Not only can Beatrice master the ninja arts but her flexibility and problem solving is her undercover super power!

When I read the description to this book (after it caught my eye with that beyond adorable cover!) it reminded me so much of my 10 year old daughter. She feels so out of place within our family, at school, everywhere. She feels like she is the only one like her. I try to tell her that is a positive thing and books like Beatrice Zinker Upside Down Thinker help echo that sentiment. This is a good book for older elementary age kids, particularly those who feel like they don't belong or are different than everyone else.