If you have children who love early chapter books, on June 1st you need to check out Wednesday Wilson Gets Down to Business by Bree Galbraith and Morgan Goble. We are OBSESSED with this book. It’s The Bee’s favourite new book, her previous favourites include The Princess in Black and Jasper John Dooley. We had a hard time only reading one chapter a night and ended up reading at least 3 so we were finished quite quickly and she couldn’t wait to retell the story to The Bear the next morning.

Wednesday Wilson is an entrepreneur with two moms and a little brother named Mister. She has a best friend named Charlie and together they are always coming up with interesting business ideas. Her most recent business idea springs from an encounter with the M.E.A.N clique whom they refer to as Ruby Beautiful and the Emma’s. While it's a great idea, Wednesday has trouble with the execution.

We love Wednesday Wilson because it feels like a breath of fresh air on the kid lit scene. It’s the first book to feature an entrepreneurial storyline which is so engaging. So many children love the idea of having a lemonade stand or a bake sale so to have a character who is singularly focused on creating new business ideas is such a refreshing new narrative. It was so fun to watch, as the story moved along, how The Bee would react to Wednesday’s choices and her predictions throughout the story. There are so many places for readers to stop and think, to make connections and make predictions. There are not many early chapter books featuring characters of colour as well as different family dynamics. It was awesome that Wednesday and Mister have two moms and are mixed race. Bree Galbraith also addresses some of the intrusive things other people may ask when they meet someone with same sex parents.

The illustrations by Morgan Goble are amazing! There are a good many which breaks up the reading for those who have just started to enjoy chapter books (and for parents who are reading to their children at bedtime). Morgan Goble makes you want to dive right into the pages and be a part of Wednesday’s business planning! 

In the author’s note, Bree Galbraith explains how the writing was a family affair and her boys had input into bringing authenticity to the story and it shows! We CANNOT wait for more Wednesday Wilson stories, no pressure Bree!