Messy Tessy

Messy Tessy is a young girl who manages to get herself into a lot of trouble when her Aunt Fran comes over to babysit. Aunt Fran falls asleep, and Messy Tessy manages to live up to her name by making a huge mess out of the whole house. She leaves her dolls and toys all over the floor. Painting goes from easel to the wall. Peas end up in her hair. Messy Tessy, the dolls, and an unsuspecting Aunt Fran all get makeovers.

Aunt Fran wakes up in a panic, and she and Messy Tessy race around the house getting it all spic and span before Mom gets back home. They leave it in better condition than when Mom left, except for Aunt Fran's red streaks in her hair, highly impressing Mom.

The book is very cute, and my class of 3-6 year-olds absolutely loved it! Most impressed was a young girl who actually has an Aunt Fran.

Children delight in witnessing the naughtiness of other children, almost as if they are living vicariously through them. A few may try to mimic, but usually children develop these ideas on their own, so I wouldn't worry about it influencing them. A great lesson is included, as Messy Tessy and Aunt Fran have to clean up the mess. Messy Tessy is in charge of most of it!

For those who really feel the need, it can provide a springboard for appropriate behavior.

Also appealing about this book is that the author, Leah Orr, dedicates her books and the proceeds to assisting research for Cystic Fibrosis. Her daughter, Ashley Elizabeth, has CF, and they are very active with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

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I requested and received a review copy of this book from the author.