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kristenremenar's review against another edition
4.0
Reasons why I dig this book:
1. Phoebe is a girl who loves her digger. Yay for girls who like things that go!
2. Phoebe and her family have black hair, dark eyes, and brown skin. Yay for a main character who isn't distinctly white!
3. Phoebe acts like a real preschooler. She pouts, she uses her knuckles ("just a little") and also her foot ("not too hard") when using her words doesn't get results with a bully. Some grownups may object to some of Phoebe's actions and the fact that the boy who is upset about worms is "a crybaby boy", but I like that Springstubb has written a truthful story about preschoolers, and the adult can always tell kids after sharing the story, "we don't call others 'crybaby'" or whatever.
4. The mom kind of solves the problem, but doesn't completely take over. When mom approaches, the bully backs off - so the solution is realistic. It is comforting for little kids to know that grownups can help when other kids take your stuff,and thank you, Springstubb, for not giving the mom a preachy speech.
5. Nifty art.
1. Phoebe is a girl who loves her digger. Yay for girls who like things that go!
2. Phoebe and her family have black hair, dark eyes, and brown skin. Yay for a main character who isn't distinctly white!
3. Phoebe acts like a real preschooler. She pouts, she uses her knuckles ("just a little") and also her foot ("not too hard") when using her words doesn't get results with a bully. Some grownups may object to some of Phoebe's actions and the fact that the boy who is upset about worms is "a crybaby boy", but I like that Springstubb has written a truthful story about preschoolers, and the adult can always tell kids after sharing the story, "we don't call others 'crybaby'" or whatever.
4. The mom kind of solves the problem, but doesn't completely take over. When mom approaches, the bully backs off - so the solution is realistic. It is comforting for little kids to know that grownups can help when other kids take your stuff,and thank you, Springstubb, for not giving the mom a preachy speech.
5. Nifty art.
danicamidlil's review against another edition
5.0
Huh. Kind of bombed in storytime. Bummer. Still think it would work well as a lap read though.
daisycakesco's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, YAY for a book with a girl character who likes to play with construction equipment (and a mom who gives it to her!). Second, LOVE the illustrations. Third, excellent story about how to handle conflict.
bibliotexas's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this one!!! How refreshing to see a girl character playing with construction toys! Great book, engaging illustrations, and good plot!
susannah8111's review against another edition
5.0
I reference this story when my son is being a "giant" or playing with his digger like Phoebe. I love how mom was there for Phoebe even when Phoebe felt all alone. I use the term "boring bench" whenever I'm threatening a playground timeout, too! Definitely a repeat read request.
sanadw's review against another edition
5.0
We were lucky enough to have the author, Tricia Springstubb, visit our school. I had lunch with her and I can't say enough about what a lovely, warm, talented person she is. I was able to ask her questions about the idea behind her books, and her writing process. I have read this book to approximately 300 children and they all loved it - I suggested to the author that she write some more Phoebe and Digger books - hopefully she will! I am also going to ask publishers to reprint some of her earlier children's books - I would love to get them for my library!
briannastw's review against another edition
3.0
Full review here: http://slatebreakers.com/2013/08/22/review-phoebe-digger-by-tricia-springstubb-illustrated-by-jeff-newman/
booksandbosox's review against another edition
3.0
http://librarianosnark.blogspot.com/2013/11/picture-book-saturday.html
libscote's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this one a lot. A girl with a construction toy? A baby making a pooping face? This is great!
leaflibrary's review
4.0
I really like this book! Phoebe gets Digger when her mom has a new baby. She misses the attention of her busy mother, but she loves her toy and plays happily (and noisily) with it at home and at the park. She doesn't appreciate crybabies, like literal babies or squeamish little boys - until she finds herself wanting to cry too when a bigger girl takes Digger without asking. There's no dramatic resolution to the problem(s) presented, but Phoebe's mom notices what's happening and steps in quietly, affirming Phoebe's feelings and making her feel safe. I love that the book specifically states this feeling. There's no drama around how Phoebe feels or doesn't feel, which tracks with lots of little girls I know but NOT the standard dramatic kids in popular books. I also love that Phoebe favors a toy vehicle (rather than, say, a doll) and likes making noises with it, digging in the dirt, using her imagination and being active. Again, I think that's true to life, but not often reflected in the princess-obsessed girls that populate many children's books.