AUTHOR

Katrina Elizabeth DiCamillo is an accomplished author and is known for her fictional children’s books. She is one of six people to win the Newberry Medal twice. She was appointed the U.S. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress for the term 2014 and 2015. She writes novels, chapter books, picture books and short stories. Several of her stories have been made into motion pictures. You can visit Kate’s website here.

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem is written for children 5-10 years old.

SYNOPSIS

Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem is the story of a young second grader and her antagonist Horace. Stella is an imaginative young girl who likes to fantasize about wizards and castles. Horace is the obnoxious know-it-all that every class has. The two are at ends on most things, but everything unravels when they start arguing in class.

The two get sent to the Principles office but Horace runs off. Stella gives chase and then things go really bad. They have to bind together and provide each other comfort to escape their ordeal.

CONCLUSION

Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem is a very good book. It provides education and storytelling all in one. The characters are well crafted and believable. The plot is suspenseful and intellectual. The prose is age appropriate and easily to follow. There is the heroine and the antagonist and circumstance forces them to work together. The end of story lesson is relevant and educational.

The illustrations in this pre-release are not the final press release pictures. That said, they are splendid. Chris is an excellent artist and his characters are beautifully rendered. If the final release is anything like the cover, then this will be a delightfully colored picturesque book. I do love the pig and “balloon head Horace.”

Overall, Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem is an excellent book. Children will absolutely love this story and its characters. When the final release is complete, I have no doubt that the illustrations will only add to the appeal of this little gem.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
SPECIAL MENTION – ILLISTRATOR

Chris Van Dusen is an accomplished author and illustrator. He started drawing when he was a child living in Portland, Maine. Back then he loved drawing aliens, monsters and robots. He attended the University of Massachusetts where he earned a BFA in 1982. He did a few odd jobs after graduation but finally started freelance drawing cartoons and illustrations for magazines. He published his first book in 2000. If you would like to learn more about Chris, you can find his website here, and you can watch his drawing tutorials here or catch him on Facebook here.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Kate DiCamillo and Candlewick Press for affording me the opportunity to review Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem.

Another brilliant addition to the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series. My daughters were thrilled by the deeper focus on Stella and the school setting. Many of the beloved characters return to this volume, and the imaginary role Stella brings to Eugenia Lincoln had our whole family cracking up. Consistent with so much by DiCamillo, this book takes some turns that are edgier than a lot of mainstream books for this age range are willing to take--this is not only what gets children engaged in reading her books, but it makes the dilemmas and problem-solving actions the characters face and take more compelling. And the adults in the story, particularly those in the school, are familiar yet with twists that make them not archetypes so much as realistic and idiosyncratic at the same time. This one proves the manyeth time that DiCamillo is at the very top of writers for children of a range of ages!

Another great title from Kate DiCamillo in this newest addition to the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series. Stella Endicott and Horace Broom are not friends, but when they find themselves locked in the janitor's supply closet, it turns out friendship can bloom when given the chance. DiCamillo does a wonderful job of explaining the concept of metaphors to young readers in a very accessible way. Highly recommend this series and this author.

A sweet simple story. Great family read aloud. A fun read that will expand a young reader’s vocabulary, introduce them to metaphor and poetry, and provide a few laughs along the way.

Kate DiCamillo does it again! This is a very sweet story about second-grader Stella Endicott and how an attempt to write a poem using metaphors leads her to make a new friend in her former antagomnist, Horace Broom. DiCamillo does a great job defining unfamiliar words and reusing them throughout the story, and she also creates a unique and hilarious cast of characters. This would be a fun book to read aloud with younger kids (or older kids, for that matter). It's part of the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Stella Endicott has spunk in the classroom. When her teacher Miss Liliana gives the classroom a new assignment on writing poems, Stella sees the possibilities. The poem must be written in metaphor and Stella the curious learner, begins looking at everything as a metaphor. Not only do you have metaphors you have ironies when Stella comes face to face with Horace Broom her antagonist. Horace Broom is to literal and Stella she has spunk. The ironies begin.

I love how this fun spunky girl can make reading fun and introduces to reading and writing concepts. If your children are learners, readers, loves new words, and playful, Stella will have them wanting more.

A Special Thank you to Candlewick Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

Stella Endicott is in 2nd grade and must write a poem with a metaphor for class. She writes about her favorite pig, Mercy Watson. When she gets to class the next day she gets in an argument with her nemesis, Horace Broom, who thinks that pigs are only found on farms in the country. They are sent to the principal’s office, but Horace is afraid and runs away, Stella chases after him to bring him back, but then they get trapped in the closet and Horace becomes even more afraid. Will Stella find a way to save Horace?
#StellaEndicottAndTheAnythingIsPossiblePoem #NetGalley #ARC

Another great book by Kate DiCamillo!! She is an easy go-to author when it comes to Young Readers. I absolutely loved the story of Stella and the opportunity the plot took to educate as well as give a fun story.

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! Our whole family loves Mercy Watson and her quirky band of characters. This early chapter book focuses on Stella Endicott, who is trying to write a poem filled with metaphors, and the adventures that ensue when she and her nemesis must work together.

Stars: This would make a super read-aloud for elementary school children. Lots of big words to explain and great big ideas like "curiosity and courage" and "surprise in the pattern." My 8 year old daughter enjoyed getting "shivers" when our heroine was stuck in a tricky situation.

Wishes: I think a glossary of big words might be helpful. My daughter was initially confused at the beginning of the book because she wasn't grasping who all of the characters were.

It's a darling story about patterns, surprises, curiosity, courage, and how anything really is possible.
Stella Suzanne Endicott learns how to come up with metaphors for the poetry unit her class teacher, Miss Tamar Calliope Liliana is teaching them. On an ordinary day in second grade, due to an argument with know-it-all Horace Burton Broom, the two children are sent to the principal's office. Believe it or not, anything can happen, even unlike friendships, surprises in unexpected places, and opportunities to show courage and curiosity.
The writing is smart and funny, a delight for children and adults alike. The story references to characters in the previous books in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone. New words and new life lessons are for all in this book.
This was my first children's book by Kate DiCamillo and I was pleasantly surprised. It's a delight and I highly recommend it!

The first four books in this series came out on a yearly basis, but after 2017, there was no other. I was afraid that the series had ended, and was incredibly excited when I saw this title on NetGalley. I enjoyed it very much, and am grateful that I got to read an advance digital copy of it. Even though the illustrations are place-holding sketches and are not yet complete, this book already has recaptured the charm I expect from this series.

Like the others, this is a creative early chapter book with varied vocabulary and lessons about storytelling and life, and even though my favorite in the series is still "Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon," this book is also delightful. I enjoyed the child's narrative voice, the poem that she wrote, and her unexpected friendship with a boy in her class who irritates her. This short chapter book is excellently plotted, and even though I thought that I was just going to read a chapter or two before accomplishing other things, I got sucked in and read the whole thing at once. There is nothing extraneous in it, and the plot moves along quickly and surely.

Kate DiCamillo's books have often been hit-or-miss for me, but when I love them, I love them. This is a perfect example of her artistry and creativity, and I love the tightly plotted narrative, its colorful characters, and the graceful flow of her prose. This book is delightful, and it teaches children about metaphors, poetry, and friendship without ever being didactic. It's an imaginative and appealing story, and I know that I would have loved this when I was as child. In a world of dry, boring easy chapter books with clunky writing, it is a joy to have literary styles like this available to young readers.

This is a sweet story about a little girl, a poem and a pig.
When little Shirley is asked to write a poem for school and it leads to new discoveries and a new friend.
It was really enjoyable to read and re-read as the little one loves this book, I can't wait to get a hard copy to fully appreciate the illustrations and read this every bedtime.

I love Kate DiCamillo and Mercy Watson! I first started reading the series to my second grade class over ten years ago. I lost track of the books and was delighted to know that the story is still going strong with a new cast of characters. Stella and Horace are delightful and I love their unlikely friendship that blossoms out of an argument about pigs and their dwellings. Cute story, fun and entertaining for kids (and adults) of all ages!

Stella Endicott and the Anything is Possible Poem by Kate Di Camillo
Magical Metaphors and more...

Stella is tasked with writing a poem using metaphors, seeking inspiration she visits Mercy the pig and begins to think of beautiful metaphors to use in her poem. She finishes it and proudly takes it school. However, there’s trouble in store when she shows fellow class pupil Horace her poem. They both get sent to the principal’s office. If only the pair can work out their differences and learn to appreciate each other then things might just turn out alright in the end.

I thought that this was an engaging read. I recommend it for ages 7-10. The story is easy to follow and young readers will be able to identify themselves in Stella’s home and school life. The theme of friendship and overcoming differences was an important one to teach kindness and understanding towards each other. The cuddly pig adds a humours element to the story. Good explanation of metaphor and tricky words used.
Parents will enjoy reading this story to their children, furthering their knowledge and encouraging them to create their own metaphors and poems. It would be also very useful as part of a poetry topic/lesson in school. Perhaps children could create class poem using tricky words and metaphors. A delightful read with illustrations that complement the text well. This book is latest from the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review of Stella Endicott and the Anything is Possible Poem by Kate DICamillo.
With Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

Another brilliant book by Kate DiCamillo about the residents of Deckawoo Drive. This time, the story is about Stella Suzanne (with one z) Endicott. Having been assigned to write a poem with a metaphor, Stella composes one about Mercy Watson, the pig, only to have Horace Broom, her know-it-all classmate, criticize her poem, and a loud argument ensues. Stella's teacher, Tamar Calliope Liliana does not allow loud noises, so the two children are sent to the principal's office. A series of misadventures leads the two to being locked in a janitor's closet where they discover that their differences can lead to a very satisfying friendship.

Metaphors abound in this new tale about a frightening school day. It is DiCamillo’s newest Deckawoo Drive adventure.

I was already in love with the Mercy Watson characters so I knew this was going to be a fun book. If you are in second grade or have ever been in second grade I think you can certainly identify with our main characters, Stella and Horace.

Stella SuZanne Endicott loves her teacher, Miss Liliana, and she is thrilled when the class is assigned to write a poem. Stella crafts a beautiful poem about Mercy Watson, the beloved pig next door. The poem is to contain a metaphor which proves no problem for Stella. But Horace Broom, Stella’s irritating classmate, insists that Stella’s poem is just wrong and her reference to the pig next door cannot be true. He insists that pigs do not live in houses and most definitely do not sit on couches. This difference results in a shouting match in the classroom. Miss Liliana sends them to the dreaded principal’s office. Along the way, the two encounter a school bully, Mr. Clyde Murphy, maintenance engineer, then the scary principal’s secretary, Mrs. Shirley. By now they are too terrified to see Mr. J. Tinwiddie school principal. Horace is more dramatic than Stella and bemoans that his life is over. As the two abscond the principal’s office there are some surprising occurrences on their journey to being readmitted to the second grade classroom.

The illustrations enhance this story of friendship and understanding. Lots of interesting vocabulary awaits the reader.

Kate DiCamillo has written many wonderful children's books including Because of Winn Dixie.  She is a children's author whom I admire so I was very happy to receive this title as an e galley.


This title is part of a series of chapter books about Deckawoo Drive although it is the first one that I have read.  The tone is fun and entertaining.  Stella, the verbal and precocious protagonist, is a second grader which gives a sense of the age a child might be to enjoy this book.


Young readers learn that Stella is thrilled with her second grade teacher, the beautifully named Tamar Calliope Liliana.  All would be perfect in Stella's opinion were it not for Horace Brown.  What will happen in their relationship? Can they be friends?


Young readers will turn the pages to see what happens as the students in Miss Liliana's class write poems with metaphors and as Stella and Horace are sent to the principal.  What will happen to them?  How will the day end?


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. This is a delightful book for either reading aloud or for children who are beginning to enjoy chapter books.

It is Stella Endicott's first day of 2nd grade and Stella thinks her teacher, Miss Liliana, is like a character in a story that her friend Baby Lincoln might write. A good fairy, perhaps. She is thrilled to have such an inspiring teacher. Stella is not thrilled, however, to be in class with Horace Broom, or "the problem" as Stella calls him. Horace is so annoying and he thinks he knows all the answers. And that is about to lead to trouble.

When Miss Liliana gives the assignment for her students to write a poem that includes a metaphor, Stella is confident that she is up to the challenge. And she goes to Mercy Watson for inspiration because why wouldn't you? With the comfort of Mercy to assist her, she comes up with a poem of which she is quite proud. She can't wait to share it with the class. She makes the mistake of showing her poem to Horace first and he disputes a line. Stella's poem talks about sitting next to a pig on a couch and Horace is bound and determined that there is no way a pig could sit on a couch. Stella is outraged and the argument begins. That's when Miss Liliana gently but firmly sends them both to the principal's office.

There's no doubt that Stella is going to need curiosity and courage to deal with the impending events of her trip down the hall. And that good because, as you know, Baby Lincoln says that a good story needs a main character that has a lot of curiosity and courage.

This would make a good read aloud for the beginning of the year 2nd graders! The story is sweet, filled with good life lessons, and the pictures are beautifully done!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. I read this delightful book with my 7 year old daughter. We both enjoyed it immensely! Courage and Curiosity were the two major themes that led Stella Endicott to teach Horace Broom that anything is possible. This book was appropriate for kids ages 7-10.

Kate DiCamillo does it again with another wonderful children's book with a perfect message. Stella and Horace aren't friends, but when they get locked together in a supply closet, they realize that people aren't always who you first think they are, and new friendships can be found almost anywhere if you just give the person a chance. This will be another one to add to my classroom for all of my second graders to enjoy. I cannot wait to see the finished artwork for this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this excellent book.