ARC provided by NetGalley and Quarto Publishing.

A book with a simple, positive message - find your own way and be open to trying new things. In this case, the theme isn't laid on in a heavy handed way. While some version of this story might show Ella have her unique ways of going a bout her business put into the context of her peers, who may judge her, here Ella thrives on her own and sets an example to others to follow suit. She defines her own identity and willingness to be open to the world, even if that means walking backwards into a trash can.

I personally enjoyed the artwork, which works in unison with the text design. There was thought put into the layout of the pages here and it all flows easily, which I find particularly important for children's stories. This is definitely a suggested book from me, especially for parents with kids who are in the early processes of figuring out who they are, what they like or dislike. The classic "try your broccoli, you might like it!" could have a (slightly) higher change of working after reading this book.

It’s a sweet, short story with charming illustrations that will make for an ideal nighttime story. The message is cute and I can really see this being the start of a wonderful series.

This is supposed to be the start of a new series about Ella. I'm not quite sure where it will go from here, but it can only go up. This first book is a one note wonder.

Ella starts to try a new thing, which is doing things backwards, and she keeps doing it, reading, and eating and walking, until others want to try it too. But then that makes her not want to do it any more. A bit pretentious, if you were to ask me.

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THe pictures are colorful, and perhaps the stories in later books will have more meat on them.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Make way for Ella May because she wants to do things her own way!

Quirky, lovable and refreshingly single-minded, Mick Jackson couldn't have introduced us to the unforgettable Ella May at a better time, and I already can't wait to read more! Because who wouldn't love a fabulously fun picture book about one little girl going against the norm to try something new?!

Girls and boys alike will no doubt laugh out loud at Ella May's backwards walking and might even be encouraged to try something new from themselves..

Beautifully illustrated with a charming underlining message of trying new things and being yourself.

Ella May is such a sweet and bright kid, Her mom suggests to try new things when she prepares her daughter food she never had before. From then on, Ella starts doing everything backwards. Which was fun until the whole town followed her new way of walking. Ella stops then and starts doing something new again. I'm all for trying new things to explore all the endless opportunities but I don't know how to feel about the kid doing something new just because someone else copied her since she seemed to have lots of fun doing things backwards for quite a while. The color palette is nice, a lovely change in kids book since they are usually a lot more brighter in colors. The diversity of characters is a big plus as well!

Cute. Story about a child who likes to try new things. Great story to incorporate into the classroom to discuss being afraid of new things / benefits of being open to new experiences. Illustrations are colorful, unique and engaging enough for the story.

What a wonderful character Mick Jackson has produced in Ella May.
My kind of clever, logical and single-minded girl.
At the time of this first installment of a new series - I want more!, Ella's mum just about has the upperhand, but me thinks this will not last too long.
In this first book mum introduces Elly to new food tastes and famously suggests it is good to try new things and experiences. This sends Elly on her own distinct path. Elly being a resourceful girl she is full of bright and inventive ways of mastering her new choices and phases in her growing up.
The book is cleverly illustrated with more pictures than words. Together they bring out this witty and inspiring story. Much to chat about with your own children and lots of aspects to return to subsequently as this is a book you will want to read again.
With so many excellent books out there, it is good when one comes to your attention that brilliant and has a little bit of attitude. Not anarchy (yet), but that independent spirit we wish all our kids develop.

I'm not sure if I like this book. On the one hand, the message is good. On the other hand, the message is not so good. (Confused yet?)

Ella May is apparently not like other girls because she likes dinosaurs, insects, and apples. One day, her mother encourages her to try a new food. This leads to her wanting to try something else that's new... so she starts walking backwards. She does this for days, playing backwards on the playground and going up the stairs backwards. One day, her mum decides to try it. When others see the two of them walking backwards, they decide to join in. Soon, the whole town is walking backwards with Ella and her mum.

So what's wrong with that? Well, as soon as Ella sees everyone doing this, she doesn't want to do it anymore. She turns into one of those pretentious teenagers who have to be unique at all costs (often, ironically, ending up the same as all the other "unique" kids). I like the message about trying new things... but I really don't like the message of abandoning new things just because other people start doing them, too. Uniqueness is fine... but not if it means having to give up things you really enjoy. (Which leads me to wonder: did Ella really enjoy walking backwards? Or was she just doing it to be different?)

The pictures, in their limited colour palette, are pretty cute. The diversity of the folks in the town is refreshing.

So, while I do think that trying new things is great, I feel that that particular message is undermined by the uniqueness-at-all-costs one. Why can't kids just do something because they enjoy it? Teaching kids that they won't be special if they do things the same way as others isn't exactly a great message, either.

Contrary Mary for a new generation!

This is a fantastic book, with a fun-loving, spunky, headstrong female main character who, as the title implies, wants to do things her own way. This ends up causing quite a stir when she commits to walking everywhere backwards.

Great illustrations and wonderfully diverse in a very natural way without diversity being made into an "issue".

I'd highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ella May is a quirky and lovable character who likes to do things her way. She sets about doing things backwards after her mum encourages her to try new things. Soon, the whole town is following her footsteps and walking backwards. At this point, Ella May decides it might be time to try something new.

Lovely illustrations and clear text makes this an engaging read for younger readers. I like that way this book reinforces that it's good to try new things while also showing a girl who isn't interested in things that are often shown in stereotypical portrayals of young girls.

A very pleasant look at the benefits of non-conformism. Ella May is encouraged to try something new at the dining table when her mother cooks it, so grows into wanting to experience everything else in a novel way, especially backwards – walking backwards, sleeping with her feet on the pillow, climbing down trees head first. But what would happen if other people took it upon themselves to join in? Hopefully this is successful in the social media age of stopping some readers from feeling the urge to join in with the sheeple, and to do things their way. Before that success can be quantified, you have a perfectly serviceable book, with nice design and great readability. I won't be backward in giving this a strong four stars.

In Ella May Does It Her Way!, Mick Jackson creates the charming character of Ella May, a girl who takes her mum's advice to 'try new things'. (Parents will appreciate that Ella May takes her mum's advice.) Ella May learns that she likes being different from the crowd. Ella is charming and many children will relate to her desire to do things in her own way. Andrea Stegmaier's illustrations are delightful and bring Ella May's story to life.

This is a very sweet book about being different and standing out. Ella May enjoys doing things differently. She likes to walk backwards, tries to read backwards. It’s good book to teach about being yourself.

‘Try Something New’!

A lovely book for the little ones.

The illustrations are bright and beautiful and the idea behind the story is to try doing something different and new.

Ella May is a little kid and one day she decides to experiment and she starts walking backwards. Suddenly everyone is following her!

I particularly appreciated the fact that the characters represent diversity and inclusion in their appearance (both in the colour of their skin and their hair).

A great idea for a gift to enjoy with the children.