#NetGalley   #TheKiddieTable   Available August 1, 2018

Like many families, special meals call for two tables. In this story, we have one very unhappy 8-year-old girl who gets seated at the kiddie table with toddlers and two kids in high chairs. She sits there getting more unhappy by the minute as she examines her bowl and spoon and a cup with a lid. “Why am I stuck with this pacifier crowd?” she wonders as the kid's plop food on the table and her. The more she comes up with reasons not to be at the kiddie table the worse she feels that she doesn't have a place at the adult table. Finally, she screams, “This is the WORST Thanksgiving I’ve ever had in my entire life! I DESERVE A SPOT AT THE ADULT TABLE!” The adults look on in shock.   * Spoiler Alert *    According to the story, her mom knows exactly what to say. She tells her daughter that she knows it's tough being an in-between age, but next time it would be better not to yell and make such a fuss. The daughter is instructed to clean up (since food has been thrown at her by the little ones) and calm down, then there will be a place for her at the dining room table. At the adult's table, she is well-behaved and happy as she enjoys using special bowls from France. After the meal, the girl kisses her mom and dad and helps wash dishes and tell the guest’s goodbye.

Cons: It doesn't please me to give this many concerns, but I'm giving honest feedback.
While I don’t often include Spoiler Alerts, I felt like I had to in order for this part to make sense. Several things didn’t work for me. A) The two extremes of this 8-year-old getting a bowl and a sippy cup, and then special bowls from France. B) It appears this meal was served at the girl’s house, so why wouldn't her family realize their daughter no longer uses a bowl, spoon and sippy cup? C) It concerns me that a tantrum by a supposedly 'tween girl who wants to be moved to the adult table brings the desired effect: a place at the table. 

Pros: The idea of Kid and Adult tables will be enjoyed and familiar to many.

This is a cute book! The illustrations are really good (even if some aren't the final ones). I think most children who are around 8 years old could relate (being stuck at the kiddie table). I think how the girl has a meltdown about not getting her way and then her mom calmly explaining how she should have asked is a great way to teach children a lesson. The text is fun and has a nice flow. This is a good book to read aloud.

*thank you to Netgalley and Capstone for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

4 stars.

What a clever idea to do a children's story book about being at that stage in life where you are too grown up for the kiddie table but not yet a teen to sit at the adults table. I bet most of us can remember being at that stage. I know I can. I wanted to be with the grown ups but once I was allowed, I decided that they were too boring and I wanted to be back at the kids table. This book reminded me of that and made me smile at the memory. So many at around age 8 feel grown up enough that they want to be treated as one of the adults. This story shows one girl who is given the chance to sit with the adults and it turns a bad thanksgiving into a pleasant one. Written in rhythm, this fun to read story will be a hit with girls (and boys) who are also at that in between stage.

I know the illustrations are not yet complete as this is the ARC copy I was given, but Im really liking the way they are heading. They are wonderfully coloured and are soft. I would definitely be interested in seeing the final copy.