Great concept, but didn't really work. It focused on Ella May doing one thing different: walking backwards. At the end, she is "made" to change her way of doing things.

'Ella May Does It Her Way' with words and pictures by Mick Jackson is about a little girl determined to do things her way in a world that would tell her otherwise.

Ella May is particular about what she likes (insects, but not beetles). One night, her mother tries to get her to eat something different and Ella May balks at the idea, until her mother tells her it's good to try new things. Inspired by this thought, Ella May starts doing things very differently. Will her mother be able to get her to stop Ella May and her ways?

I really liked this story and the pictures. Ella May's cone shaped hair fits her precocious nature. The moral of the story is pretty clear. I wonder if young readers will try to do things Ella May's way though. It's a fun read.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - words and pictures, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

This was just okay for me.
I like that message the author is trying to deliver...
Trying something new can be good and fun and help introduce other people to new things too!
I did feel like the whole "backwards" thing dragged on a bit.
The message would have worked better if Ella had tried a bunch of different things instead of just doing things backwards.
The illustrations are pretty cool (love Ella's hair!) and work well with the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for my DRC.

Ella May isn't just a cute girl. She is also very independent, tenacious, original and imaginative, someone who likes to discover things by doing them. One day her mum says that it is good to try new things and that's what Ella May does. She starts walking backwards just to see how difficult it would be and what it would feel like. She continues doing this in various contexts until she starts a new craze. By this time, walking backwards doesn't feel like something new and exciting, so Ella May is off to something new. Cartwheels? Anyone?

I absolutely adored the artwork. It is cute, colourful and quirky- my favourite style.
Ella May is obviously a curious and imaginative child, perhaps not the easiest to parent, but you can bet she brings a lot of joy into the lives of her loved ones. You can always bet she'll find something unusual and worth exploring in the most mundane objects and activities.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Ella May is an independent thinker and she knows what she likes.

"Say hello to Ella May
A girl who does things her own way...

Likes dinosaurs.
Likes insects (but not beetles)
Likes stripes ( and apples )."

Thus begins the tale of a wee non-conformist.

One day her mum gives her something different to eat. Ella May is a little apprehensive to try it but mom encourages her and tells her, "It's good to try new things." Mmmmmm.... Ella quite likes that idea.

Later in the park she decides to try something new. She chooses to walk backwards throughout her day. That will be fun to try she thinks. Applying her rule to reading a book, going backwards upstairs to the bathroom and getting into bed backwards she discovers it's not as easy as she thought it would be. But Ella May is determined to keep on with her backward adventure. She continues her novel idea all through the next day at the playground which causes quite a stir with the other kids. A few days later while out on a shopping trip her mum decides to join her and see how it feels to move in backward mode.

The observant townsfolk see what the two are up to and decide to give it a try too. A huge parade of backward moving people ensue and as Ella May steps back and observes their antics she decides that she is ready to try something different... something brand new! Oh my! What could she possibly want to do next that is creative and untraditional? You will have to get the book and find out.

This is book number one of a brand new series. It will inspire kids to try out new things, think out-of-the-box and be an original. The artwork adds enrichment to the text and is very kid-friendly. I recommend the book and I back it for sure.

One day Ella May's mum encourages her to taste a new food, telling her that it is good to try new things. Ella takes this idea and runs with it, deciding to do things differently. For example, she walks backwards. Others catch on and walk backwards too, so Ella May decides to...read the book if you want to find out.

This is a short sweet story that young listeners will enjoy. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

We loved this book! Ella May is a headstrong little girl, and we loved that about her!

A good strong story about thinking outside the box and being willing to take risks. This one would be a great tool to teach little ones to embrace happiness their way. Fantastic and unorthodox illustrations did a great job supporting the story.

All parents will relate to this! Because if your child has never decided to do things her or his own way, you probably have a mythical child that everyone would like to have!
This is a book that will help you speak to your child(ren)/students about the importance of being yourself - a difficult concept for most humans, young, old and in between.

In this subtly amusing story, Ella Mae’s mother suggests to her that it is good to try new things. Ella decides to take this advice in ways that can only surprise her mother. She decides to walk backwards. But when when walking backwards catches on in the neighborhood, Ella May decides to do cartwheels instead. Attractive, colorful illustrations add to the fun. Ella May is thinking and experimenting all the time, and Mom seems just fine with that.

Ella May is a spunky little girl who is strong willed and determined. She finds she likes to try new things and be herself. I thought it was great how she stood out from the crowd by being herself and decided to try something new when people started walking backwards like her.

Her mother is very loving and supportive of Ella May and it is fantastic.

The illustrations were colourful and fun. It was great to see so many different people depicted throughout the city.

Ella May was/still is me! 😂

Growing up left-handed, I've always done things backwards or differently. I still do. Us lefties have to learn early how to think outside the box. But Ella May isn't left-handed (at least it's not said). She's just a child full of wonder. Questioning life and the way things are done should be encouraged and I'm happy Ella May does and that she has a community who supports her! 💕

My only real critique is that this is a Children's book aimed at children who will read it. As adults we may think to ourselves how we wish a child would stop doing something but if it's not harming the child or anyone/anything else then we shouldn't tell them to stop exploring their ideas. Yes, Ella May's mother doesn't tell her to stop out loud but the children reading the actual book will see/hear her thinking it and in my opinion, that's not really cool. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 

My final conclusion is that Ella May Does it Her Way is a fun book that will remind children to think outside the box; a great storytime read! 📚 

***Thank you to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group (words & pictures) for providing me with a review copy.***

***Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Ella May is not afraid to be different! This is a fantastic story about trying new things and not conforming.

A celebration of individuality and creativity! The text is accompanied by colorful and vibrant illustrations, depicting a diverse community. I can't wait to share this with my students, knowing that they will get a kick out of meeting Ella May.

This young children's picture book was just wacky enough to appeal to my sense of the strangely amusing. Like me, she finds herself wondering from time to time why things happen in a certain way or why things are done this way instead of that way, and one day she decides to change it up by doing things backwards or opposite. It's not just a case of Ella May, but Ella does!

This comes to a head when she begins walking everywhere backwards, and her mother decides to join her, and soon the whole town is doing it. But does Ella May stop there? Nope! A well-written, colorful, and very entertaining exploration of one child's take on life. If your child is in a reading rut, this will get them out of it!

Ella May starts out as a promising character to encourage children to try new things and explore new hobbies. Children are rather reluctant and choose to remain in their comfort zone. This book is the journey of her exploring new things, her way.
Personally, This book made me wonder if I need to be more adventurous
As a person, I myself am very picky in trying new things especially with food!
It also sheds light on how people follow others blindly, which implies on the social media effect on people.
While it does open conversation with kids, to explore new things it also builds the notion of being unique always. It is okay to do what you want , your way as long it is the right thing. However, I also feel it does not necessarily mean you have to be different or special or stand out the crowd.

I rarely read picture books, but this book opened a whole new genre for me to explore. I was intrigued by the strong message we teach children through stories, and this does a good job at delivering it.

The illustrations are cute and pretty as well!

I will recommend this book, to young readers for its engaging graphics, story line and most importantly the message of simply trying new things and being adventurous.

Ah, Ella May sure does do things her way—and I sure do relate! As someone who insisted on writing backwards until 3rd grade I feel like we would really get along...

I actually laughed out loud at one part in this book (the contraption she creates).

Ella May’s mom is a realistic and sweet momma figure and I love that the story is really just the two of them. The art is gorgeous, quirky, and expressive. I thought it matched the story itself perfectly and the combo (and representation) is what ultimately had me sold on an otherwise pretty simple story.

The message actually ends up being a bit gentle towards the end but I found I liked it that way. I also need to chat with Ella May about how even though I’ve been mismatching my stuff for decades suddenly it’s cool now...?! What should I do about that, Ella May?

Anyways, I definitely want this book and I can see it being a fun one to read with kids. Easy options for conversation starters, social emotional lessons, beginning of the year how are we different type convos etc.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 for me.

Fun illustrations with diverse characters.

The ending was somewhat abrupt but happily there are more adventures to look forward with this imaginative little girl.

An engaging story for young readers to explore how to be open to new perspectives, bond with a community while preserving their individuality

I thought this was a fairly interesting book, but didn't completely agree with some of the author's writing about Ella May. I liked that she was a bit different from other girls, but then she *needs* to be unique and different at any cost. I am not sure that is the greatest message; being different is great, but you want to make sure you aren't doing that on purpose.

The illustrations were cute and the colors were fun. Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book.

I received an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Ella May is interested in trying new things and exploring life. She decides to walk backward just to be unique. Soon everyone else tries it too and she decides to move on to something different.
Jackson has created a joy filled story of a daring young girl who isn't afraid to be herself. The illustrations are done in subdued tones with pops of color to bring out the people and actions.
Terrific class read to discuss experimenting and figuring out what they like and dislike.