Review of "Ava as a Top Seller" by Tuula Pere, PhD

Score: 91/100 (9.1 out of 10)

Ava as a Top Seller is actually a pretty interesting children's book by Tuula Pere, a children's author who is known for exploring unique themes in freshly different ways.

This is a book that both celebrates the entrepreneurship and sensitivity of young people while also exploring the theme of VALUE. Now, value comes in all sorts of shapes, forms, and sizes, and it really comes down to what's important to you as an individual. Some people value honesty and integrity over financial gain. Some people value financial gain over honesty and integrity. Some people value helping and working with others while others value self-sufficiency and independence.

That's a lot to explore in just a 20-page children's book, yet Pere (as usual) is able to accomplish so much in such a short and small space!

At a weekend market with her mother, Ava feels the urge to get more involved and to take on the challenge of helping the aptly-named Mr. Stuff, a friendly (and elderly) shopkeeper known for his delightful trinket stall.

Giving the elderly shopkeeper a much-needed break (he jokes that he's been selling for a hundred years), Ava takes up the responsibility for selling the products in his shop.

Due to Ava's unique sensitivity and ability to read/understand people, she is able to identify the products that each individual customer/shopper will like. Because of that, the products go flying off the shelves!

Unfortunately, Ava realizes that she has made a big mistake: she has forgotten to collect the money from the customers for all the goods! OH, NO!

Ava laments that she may have given all of Mr. Stuff's products away for free. Thankfully, she is surprised to learn that the customers left their payments in a box out of appreciation.

This really highlights the reciprocity of human kindness. Ava was sensitive enough to recognize the unique needs and feelings of customers. Likewise, Mr. Stuff demonstrated his love and passion for his shop, products, and business by staying in business for so long, contributing to the community.

Though it's not explicitly stated, you can really tell that the customers leave money not just out of duty & obligation but because they appreciate Ava and Mr. Stuff.

It really goes with the biblical quote, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Kindness and caring are reciprocal.

The narrative beautifully illustrates Ava’s growth in responsibility and problem-solving. It's also interesting to note that this book also features Axel (from Axel Washes the Rug), who is also known for making silly mistakes and overreacting in an attempt to solve them.

Check it out on Amazon!