THE GIRL WHO LIKED TO WIN

A fun, gentle children’s story about learning to enjoy games whether you win or lose.

Everyone likes to win, but Amy refuses to lose. She expects everyone to let her win every game, and other kids, her parents and teachers live in fear of her tantrums. But one day, a new babysitter decides to teach Amy how to enjoy playing games rather than just winning them. The babysitter who finally stands up to Amy isn’t mean; she’s actually kind and patient, even as the little girl yells. Amy realizes that she enjoys the process of playing a game after the babysitter, rather than simply giving in to her like everyone else does, challenges her to think and learn. This story would be great for parents to read with their children, especially those preparing for preschool or kindergarten, since learning how to lose gracefully is an important part of socialization. Also, since the babysitter is an older girl—not a parent or teacher—she’s also able to be more like a friend, which reinforces the fact that games can be a bonding experience, not just educational activities among friends. The bright, cheerful illustrations are delightfully simple, though the backgrounds are a bit dull; young readers would probably appreciate more variation in the drawings, too. Also, readers would most likely appreciate slightly more specific descriptions of what games Amy and the babysitter play together. However, neither of these issues are enough to detract from the fun book’s readability.

A cute story about learning how to enjoy games and appreciate new friends, featuring an admirable moral for young children.