When Nova realizes the artwork she created for Dad’s birthday present is missing, her tummy flip flops and her heart ker-thumps. She and her dog, Harley, turn the house upside down, searching absolutely everywhere, but the missing masterpiece is nowhere to be found. Nova loses her temper but Harley remains calm and content. Can Nova learn from her dog, calm herself down and find her Dad’s present in time for his birthday party?
Nova’s Missing Masterpiece
Brooke Graham
illustrated by Robin Tatlow-Lord
EK Books
Supplied by Fantail Communications
Reviewed by Jan Butterworth
Nova is panicking. She created an artwork for her dad’s birthday – it was her BEST WORK EVER and took he all weekend to complete – now she’s misplaced it and his party is in a few hours. With her dog Harley in tow, she searches for it. Nova scours her bedroom, dismantles the living room, and upturns the bathroom. Finding nothing, she roars in frustration before noticing Harley flopped on the floor panting. He seemed calm and content so she decided to follow his lead and do some deep breathing.
Not feeling so hot and bothered now, Nova and Harley keep looking. She tears apart the the kitchen but still nothing. Nova’s head pounds as she’s so annoyed and angry, but then she sees Harley lapping water from his bowl. This seems a good idea so she has “a drink to help her think”. Calmer, Nova and Harley head outside to look high and low but find nothing. Upset she can’t find it and her dad’s party is soon, Nova bursts into tears while Harley howls in distress. His howls give her a idea and she puts on headphones to listen to soothing music.
Will Nova find the missing masterpiece in time?
A fun story that teaches children about problem-solving and trying another strategy if the first doesn’t work. It emphasises the need to keep trying and not give up, while giving some useful coping strategies to deal with anger and frustration. The illustrations are vibrant and colourful, perfectly bringing to life Nova’s frustrations. Harley is cute too,
This is an ideal story to show how emotions can affect thinking and shows simple techniques that can help control them.
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