Penny’s Triumphant Turnaround by Stacey MacLean, illustrated by Danelle Vautour

One is never too old for a picture book. Penny’s Triumphant Turnaround by Stacey MacLean, illustrated by Danelle Vautour, is a picture book with a difference. When I first read it, I was initially struck with the question: Who is this book aimed at? It’s a picture book with a more mature theme than one usually encounters in the genre. Yet, it must be able to catch the eye of a specific group, kids in upper elementary school and even middle grade.

Penny’s Triumphant Turnaround is a story about anxiety. A bullying event occurs at school that is the catalyst for the anxiety. We first meet happy Penny going to school wearing her new bra. Once at school, a boy snaps the strap of her bra and calls Penny a ‘”dork.” This makes Penny feel anxious and she doesn’t want to go back to school the next day. Penny’s older sister helps her sort out her feelings by bringing forward a plan. She reminds Penny of the many girls and women who wear bras and explains that people are different shapes and sizes. Penny feels better and returns to school to come face-to-face with the mean boy. She stands up for herself and is proud that she has taken her feelings back.

I wanted to test this book out so I read it to a six-year-old boy. He was engaged in the story, shocked at the bullying, and satisfied with the solution. His response at the book’s conclusion was interesting. He felt happy for Penny and said “the rule is to keep your hands to yourself.” I mentioned the bad comment, and he said “keep that to yourself too.”

This made me want to discuss this picture book and who it’s aimed at with TMR’s Editor-in-Chief, Nick Selig. After hearing the book’s synopsis, he suggested that perhaps this is a “progressive picture book.”

BING!

Between the reading of the book to a six-year-old and Nick’s comment, a light bulb turned on for me. Penny’s Triumphant Turnaround is a step out of the traditional picture book box! It’s a picture book with a difference. Author Stacey MacLean took a very practical look at girls’ bodies and the rate of development being different and totally acceptable for each person. Upper-elementary school kids, especially girls, have many growth changes and challenges that require acknowledgment and acceptance. School is where kids live and it’s within that community that development of brains and bodies occur. Bringing this topic forward in the form of a picture book, spotlighting girls’ and women’s shapes and sizes with both words and the terrific illustrations by Danelle Vautour, is a bold step forward. These are young kids faced with developing minds and bodies. Allowing them to see themselves as directors and not victims by offering a head-on approach to body acceptance, not body shaming.

Pick up a copy of Penny’s Triumphant Turnaround and look closely at this very progressive picture book. We are all witnesses to the changes that occur when growing up and we can be a part of that by fostering positive experiences. Body image and self acceptance are important at any age and every stage. Stacey MacLean and Danelle Vautour have created a powerful book with a strong message. Demand is high for support and consequences harrowing when youth suffer with mental health issues. In answer to whom is this book aimed at: This is a picture book for EVERYONE in schools everywhere!

Stacey MacLean, M.A., LCT is a mental health therapist and consultant living in Fredericton, NB. She spends her time with her beloved dogs (featured in the book), her family and friends. MacLean has worked and lived from one coast to the other, and enjoys travelling and being active; from trail running to mountain climbing. This is her first published book, but has many scandalous journals that date back to her teen years — she prays that they never get published!

Danelle Vautour is an Acadian illustrator and graphic designer. She studied at both UNB and NBCCD to receive a Bachelors of Applied Arts degree and spent her fifth year of study completing a graphic design diploma at the craft college. Vautour was born and raised in Saint Charles, New Brunswick, a small rural community near the ocean and now lives in Fredericton. In her free time she continues trying to learn new artistic mediums, such as embroidery and painting.

Publisher: Monster House Publishing (September 3, 2024)
Hardcover 10″ x 8″ | 48 pages
Ages 9-12
ISBN: 9781998223077

Carrie Stanton

Managing Editor

TMR’s Managing Editor Carrie Stanton has a BA in Political Science from the University of Calgary. She is the author of The Jewel and Beast Bot, and picture books, Emmie and the Fierce Dragon and The Gardener. Carrie loves to write stories that grow wings and transport readers everywhere. She reads and enjoys stories from every genre.