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Serious Sas and Messy Magda
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2013
360 people want to read
About the author
Marianne de Pierres
37 books487 followersMarianne de Pierres is the award winning author of the acclaimed Parrish Plessis, Sentients of Orion and Peacemaker science fiction series.
Marianne is an active supporter of genre fiction and has mentored many writers. She lives in Brisbane, Australia. Her Night Creatures series, Burn Bright, Angel Arias and Shine Light has been very popular among young adult fiction readers.
Marianne is also the Davitt award-winning author of the Tara Sharp humourous crime series under the pseudonym Marianne Delacourt.
Visit her websites at:
www.mariannedepierres.com
www.mariannedepierresbooksforchildren...
www.burnbright.com.au
www.glitterrose.wordpress.com
www.sentientsoforion.com
www.colonelthorn.home.blog
Marianne is an active supporter of genre fiction and has mentored many writers. She lives in Brisbane, Australia. Her Night Creatures series, Burn Bright, Angel Arias and Shine Light has been very popular among young adult fiction readers.
Marianne is also the Davitt award-winning author of the Tara Sharp humourous crime series under the pseudonym Marianne Delacourt.
Visit her websites at:
www.mariannedepierres.com
www.mariannedepierresbooksforchildren...
www.burnbright.com.au
www.glitterrose.wordpress.com
www.sentientsoforion.com
www.colonelthorn.home.blog
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 27, 2013
I have a soft spot for picture books. They're short, pretty and often, very very sweet. So when I learned that Marianne was going to write a picture book, I was more than thrilled. Marianne should be synonym to versatility and I was eager to say what she'd come up with.
Serious Sas and Messy Magda is about a very tidy girl whose mother is, as the title says, messy. They're polar opposites in all ways, with Sas reading advanced science books while her mother performs magic tricks. Sas is embarrassed of her mother as children often are because they're so different from their parents. Then comes the ending that will leave a smile on your face.
The art is quirky and fun. I found myself lingering on the pages to look for tiny little details -- namely how the family pets acted when they were with Sas or Magda. It's a pretty book with an even prettier story.
As an adult, I loved it. I think children will too.
Serious Sas and Messy Magda is about a very tidy girl whose mother is, as the title says, messy. They're polar opposites in all ways, with Sas reading advanced science books while her mother performs magic tricks. Sas is embarrassed of her mother as children often are because they're so different from their parents. Then comes the ending that will leave a smile on your face.
The art is quirky and fun. I found myself lingering on the pages to look for tiny little details -- namely how the family pets acted when they were with Sas or Magda. It's a pretty book with an even prettier story.
As an adult, I loved it. I think children will too.
January 2, 2014
I haven’t posted a review of a picture book for a while and it’s quite fitting that I post a review of Marianne de Pierre’s first picture book Serious Sas and Messy Magda, as my dog is called Sassy (I call her Sas) and she is quite serious herself.
When I began reviewing a few years ago and was open to reviewing picture books, I was actually not at all appreciative of such books. So I stopped and accepted no more. But then working as a bookseller now for the past almost year and a half and become more knowledgable of picture books (and acquiring favourite authors such as Oliver Jeffers, Shaun Tan, and newly picture book author David Walliams) I’ve become more appreciative of these books for young children. There are many on the shelf that have exquisite illustrations and great stories for all ages.
Marianne de Pierre’s Serious Sas and Messy Magda is a brilliant take on accepting each other’s quirks and differences, being open and thankful for the people in your life. Sas and Magda teach this message well.
Rachel Annie Bridgen’s illustrations are colourful and eye-catching, with always something to look at. The differences between Sas and Magda are made obvious through the illustrations, aiding de Pierre’s succinct storytelling in ways only a good pairing can do.
This is a picture book for any age, boys and girls, but it is mothers and daughters that would gain the most from Serious Sas and Messy Magda.
When I began reviewing a few years ago and was open to reviewing picture books, I was actually not at all appreciative of such books. So I stopped and accepted no more. But then working as a bookseller now for the past almost year and a half and become more knowledgable of picture books (and acquiring favourite authors such as Oliver Jeffers, Shaun Tan, and newly picture book author David Walliams) I’ve become more appreciative of these books for young children. There are many on the shelf that have exquisite illustrations and great stories for all ages.
Marianne de Pierre’s Serious Sas and Messy Magda is a brilliant take on accepting each other’s quirks and differences, being open and thankful for the people in your life. Sas and Magda teach this message well.
Rachel Annie Bridgen’s illustrations are colourful and eye-catching, with always something to look at. The differences between Sas and Magda are made obvious through the illustrations, aiding de Pierre’s succinct storytelling in ways only a good pairing can do.
This is a picture book for any age, boys and girls, but it is mothers and daughters that would gain the most from Serious Sas and Messy Magda.
January 16, 2014
This review is from three points of view - myself as a Dad, Marieke as a Mum and Miss 10.
Firstly, we all had the pleasure of meeting Marianne in person when Marianne and I were authors for the Dymocks table at Supanova Melbourne. I was very happy to accept when she offered me the opportunity to read Serious Sas and Messy Magda, her first children’s book.
So, on to our thoughts:
Miss 10: I thought messy Magda was going to be the girl, as I’m more like Magda than Sas. The drawings were colourful and the story is good for younger people, but I would like it on my kindle. It was cute and funny, and the cover would be hard to miss on a shelf.
4 out of 5 stars – It wasn’t for my age group.
Marieke: It was a fun way of getting serious kids to relax and enjoy a different way of seeing the world. The illustrations were cute and suited the story very well.
5 out of 5 stars.
Me: I really enjoyed this and see myself reading this to our baby daughter very soon.
5 out of 5 stars.
Both: As parents, Marieke and I have been in both positions of being embarrassed by our mums and embarrassing our daughter (Miss 10). It has great little giggles from both angles. The story is cute and captivating with lots of funny lines, and doesn’t get repetitive or dull.
This is a wonderful departure for Marianne. Already Miss 10 has asked me is there going to be more.
Firstly, we all had the pleasure of meeting Marianne in person when Marianne and I were authors for the Dymocks table at Supanova Melbourne. I was very happy to accept when she offered me the opportunity to read Serious Sas and Messy Magda, her first children’s book.
So, on to our thoughts:
Miss 10: I thought messy Magda was going to be the girl, as I’m more like Magda than Sas. The drawings were colourful and the story is good for younger people, but I would like it on my kindle. It was cute and funny, and the cover would be hard to miss on a shelf.
4 out of 5 stars – It wasn’t for my age group.
Marieke: It was a fun way of getting serious kids to relax and enjoy a different way of seeing the world. The illustrations were cute and suited the story very well.
5 out of 5 stars.
Me: I really enjoyed this and see myself reading this to our baby daughter very soon.
5 out of 5 stars.
Both: As parents, Marieke and I have been in both positions of being embarrassed by our mums and embarrassing our daughter (Miss 10). It has great little giggles from both angles. The story is cute and captivating with lots of funny lines, and doesn’t get repetitive or dull.
This is a wonderful departure for Marianne. Already Miss 10 has asked me is there going to be more.
January 12, 2014
This fabulously charming picture book made me instantly wish I were a very, very young girl all over again! That I could rediscover happy books and glorious pictures and the sparkling differences of personalities! I felt both characters resonating within - as I'm certain so many little ones will do - and the merry inclusion of both polarities is such a beautiful lesson indeed!
The richness, the humor, the COLOR of the illustrations, well - it's all such a jolly, wondrous little journey - with an invisibly woven depth of meaning!
I can see this book being worn to a nib, in many homes, world over, as children will want it read and read and read to them again, as they find more and more and more in the pictures and in the ideas each time!
Congratulations and welcome to the world, Magda and Sas!
Cannot wait to read your further adventures!
The richness, the humor, the COLOR of the illustrations, well - it's all such a jolly, wondrous little journey - with an invisibly woven depth of meaning!
I can see this book being worn to a nib, in many homes, world over, as children will want it read and read and read to them again, as they find more and more and more in the pictures and in the ideas each time!
Congratulations and welcome to the world, Magda and Sas!
Cannot wait to read your further adventures!
January 4, 2014
Serious Sas and Messy Magda is a wonderfully quirky story with a great message. Sas is young girl who takes life seriously while her mother, Magda, sees the world as one big adventure. Will she embarrass Sas on the school’s ‘Bring Your Mum’ day?
I love any book that shows families in a non-traditional light, and this one does so perfectly. Neither Sas nor Magda fit any cookie-cutter mould. Their personalities are as bright and bold as the gorgeous illustrations that accompany the story. Rachel Annie Bridgen has done a marvellous job on the illustrations. On every page there’s something in the artwork that adds to the story. The pets provide a great visual tale all on their own.
This is a brilliant addition to any children’s library. It’s a lot of fun with a very sweet ending.
I love any book that shows families in a non-traditional light, and this one does so perfectly. Neither Sas nor Magda fit any cookie-cutter mould. Their personalities are as bright and bold as the gorgeous illustrations that accompany the story. Rachel Annie Bridgen has done a marvellous job on the illustrations. On every page there’s something in the artwork that adds to the story. The pets provide a great visual tale all on their own.
This is a brilliant addition to any children’s library. It’s a lot of fun with a very sweet ending.
January 4, 2014
Picture book, Serious Sas and Messy Magda is about an unusual mother-daughter relationship. Messy Mum/ Magda and Serious daughter/Sas are opposites in every possible way. In the way they dress, in the way they eat and behave, confounding and annoying young Sas.
Sas invites Magda to school, part of Bring your Mum Day.
Will Sas die of embarrassment? OR Will Sas learn how to appreciate her Mum?
The charming illustrations by Rachel Annie Brigden show how pets and animal friends react to the conflict in this very appealing story for children and grow-ups.
Recommended to springboard discussions on differences of personality, habits and views on life.
by Karen Tyrrelll author-teacher http://www.karentyrrell.com
Sas invites Magda to school, part of Bring your Mum Day.
Will Sas die of embarrassment? OR Will Sas learn how to appreciate her Mum?
The charming illustrations by Rachel Annie Brigden show how pets and animal friends react to the conflict in this very appealing story for children and grow-ups.
Recommended to springboard discussions on differences of personality, habits and views on life.
by Karen Tyrrelll author-teacher http://www.karentyrrell.com
January 3, 2014
Serious Sas and Messy Magda is a picture book for kids that works on so many levels. Without preaching, or feeling like a lecture, the fun tale of Sas and her messy mother Magda helps to teach kids it's okay to be different, whether you're a clean freak or a messy mum. Along the way we learn lessons about accepting others, accepting ourselves and loving those in our lives, even if they're different.
I thoroughly recommend this book for all children. A lovely, enjoyable book with great art by Rachel Annie Bridgen.
I thoroughly recommend this book for all children. A lovely, enjoyable book with great art by Rachel Annie Bridgen.
January 5, 2014
Super cute story of a mother and daughter with completely different personalities. The pictures are a whole story of their own as well. A lot of colors and activity on each page. I couldn't help but wonder what the animals that looked in the windows were thinking. The story is very humorous and I smiled the whole way through. This is definitely one I would recommend young readers, I loved it.
December 29, 2013
Serious Sas and Messy Magda was an excellent story showing the love and acceptance of one another, quirks and all.
The illustrations are bright and cheery and well suited to the story.
I look forward to more Children's literature from this amazing author.
The illustrations are bright and cheery and well suited to the story.
I look forward to more Children's literature from this amazing author.
December 26, 2013
This book was beyond adorable! It definitely provides the message that if you be yourself, you'll be loved! That's honestly the best message we could put across to children today! Thank you so much for publishing this adorable book!
January 11, 2014
I won this book from goodreads back in October and it was delayed in publishing so it just came in the mail today. It is very special because it is the first book I won ever and I chuckled when I won it because, if I was one of the characters, I would be Messy Magda.
This is a children's book. It is about a little girl who is very neat, and does all the proper things in the proper way, and her free wheeling, messy, throw all caution to the wind mother who likes to have fun. It is funny because I was sure by the title that the little girl was going to be the messy one. Again, never judge a book by it's cover.
So the story builds up until one day when Magda has to take her mom into school for "Bring your Mum to School" Day. Sas was a mess. Probably thinking about how her mom was going to humiliate her. Magda was already dressed a little over the top, and with mis-matched shoes to boot.
So what happens when Magda and Sas get to school and Magda gets up to introduce herself to the other class? You will have to read the book to find out.
This is a good book for I would say middle-school children. Maybe even younger. I do not have kids I am bad at this.
This is a children's book. It is about a little girl who is very neat, and does all the proper things in the proper way, and her free wheeling, messy, throw all caution to the wind mother who likes to have fun. It is funny because I was sure by the title that the little girl was going to be the messy one. Again, never judge a book by it's cover.
So the story builds up until one day when Magda has to take her mom into school for "Bring your Mum to School" Day. Sas was a mess. Probably thinking about how her mom was going to humiliate her. Magda was already dressed a little over the top, and with mis-matched shoes to boot.
So what happens when Magda and Sas get to school and Magda gets up to introduce herself to the other class? You will have to read the book to find out.
This is a good book for I would say middle-school children. Maybe even younger. I do not have kids I am bad at this.
April 28, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this fun picture book about Serious Sas, a nerdy daughter (who likes dressing up as a librarian and playing "libraries" - how could you fault that? :-), and her mum, Messy Magda. Mother and daughter are total opposites. Magda being flamboyant and maybe a bit eccentric as well, but certainly someone Sas would rather not be seen with in public (or in private either!) and especially not at the Mothers day at Sas's school.
This book is mostly told through gloriously colourful, funny illustrations by Rachel Annie Brigden and easy to read, witty text by Marianne de Pierres so it's suitable for younger (primary school) readers and older.
And I couldn't help wondering as I read this great book; with Mothers Day coming up, this book might make the perfect gift for anyone where the relationship between mother and child is chalk and cheese
This book is mostly told through gloriously colourful, funny illustrations by Rachel Annie Brigden and easy to read, witty text by Marianne de Pierres so it's suitable for younger (primary school) readers and older.
And I couldn't help wondering as I read this great book; with Mothers Day coming up, this book might make the perfect gift for anyone where the relationship between mother and child is chalk and cheese
January 16, 2014
I don't read many picture books these days, I'll admit, but this one made me giggle. The story is kind of a very toned-down version of Absolutely Fabulous - the responsible, serious daughter rolling her eyes at the antics of her much less mature mother! There's no wine or drugs or cigarettes in this one, though, don't worry - it's all appropriate for the age group!
I think my favourite thing about the book was trying to find all the animals on each page to see what they were getting up to. I think this would really appeal to the kids this is targeted towards, as well. There are lots of bright colours, and the story is simple but heartwarming. All good stuff!
I think my favourite thing about the book was trying to find all the animals on each page to see what they were getting up to. I think this would really appeal to the kids this is targeted towards, as well. There are lots of bright colours, and the story is simple but heartwarming. All good stuff!
January 8, 2014
Serious Sas and Messy Magda is the perfect book for young girls. Realizing at an early age that not everyone is the same is important. Teaching others to be less judgmental and accepting allows us to learn and grow from others. I just love this book by Marianne de Pierres. A wonderful story full of inspiration and fun!
January 5, 2014
Really lovely book with something to say in the text and masses to discuss and laugh over in the illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews