Genny Faces the Green Knight

by Darrel Gregory, Lizette Duvenage (Illustrator)

Overview

An adventure of courage, resilience, and self-confidence, Genny and Bug's Big Adventures: Genny Faces the Green Knight features a young African Canadian girl named Genny and her sidekick, Bug, who embark on heroic adventures together. Using her imagination, Genny transports from the magic tunnel in her bedroom to Arthurian times, where she meets Queen Guinevere, who calls for help to stop the Green Knight from frightening her people. Although Genny valiantly steps up to battle the Green Knight, she is unsure of her ability to succeed.

Along her journey, Genny learns that she will have to tap into her own resilience as well as accept help from those around her in order to face her most daring challenge. From the tips of her toes to the hairs on her head, Genny begins to "feel" her confidence grow. Children will rejoice in and be inspired by Genny's bravery, personal growth, and appreciation for the world around her in the first book of this must-read series.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781525580987
Publisher:	FriesenPress
Publication date:	12/17/2020
Series:	Genny and Bug's Big Adventures
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.13(d)
Age Range:	7 - 11 Years

About the Author

Darrel Gregory is the author of I'm Not Very Good at It, his first children's book. Darrel was inspired to write the first book in the Genny and Bug series by the great mythology scholar Joseph Campbell and his work on the hero's journey. As a child, he wished that he had someone who inspired him to be awestruck by nature and his surroundings. Through Genny and Bug, he hopes to encourage children to explore their own sense of purpose and the world around them.

Darrel lives in Edmonton, Alberta, with his two granddaughters nearby, and is currently working on the next book in the Genny and Bug series.

Editorial Reviews

2020-11-04
Gregory’s picture book demonstrates ways kids can counteract negative thoughts.

An unnamed girl’s mom asks her to complete tasks, like making a card for her grandfather and baking muffins for school. Although the illustrations show her reticently partaking in the activities, the girl responds to her mother, “Okay, but I’m NOT very good at it.” When Mom (who is absent from the illustrations) asks why she feels that way, the child says, “Because that’s what my brain said.” Her mother implores her to listen to her heart instead, explaining “It speaks very softly, like dandelion seeds landing on grass….Your BRAIN might try to BUTT in, but don’t pay any attention to it.” The girl attempts to complete more tasks, but she tries to alter her immediate negative thoughts. For example, as she builds a model airplane, she “talks back” to her brain (“You don’t get to be the boss all the time.”) The child explains that now she listens to her heart: “It doesn’t matter if I’m NOT very good at something…the most important thing is to just try.” Miller’s colorful pencil illustrations mostly echo the text, offering interesting background scenes such as grassy fields and dandelions. Some offer subtext. For example, the child is shown smiling alongside her completed projects, as when she gives a thumbs-up while holding a tray of baked muffins. The child has dark hair and eyes and presents White. Gregory offers actionable, kid-friendly tools to help readers enhance their self-esteem in a plausible and positive way.

A relatable, constructive story emphasizing elements of positivity and mindfulness.

Kirkus Reviews