The Most Important Thing in the World

I cannot say enough good things about this book! I absolutely adore it! The Most Important Thing in the World by Kelly Sanford tells the story to Emma, a guinea pig who thinks she might actually be a German shepherd or a dragon. Emma escapes from her cage and makes friends with a duck and an iguana. The three take off on a multitude of adventures in Florida. While this book is definitely a fun, quirky story about three sweet animals, it is also very much full of lessons that children need to hear/read. As a teacher, I think this is such a valuable book for social emotional learning. The lessons Emma learns will help kids understand how to deal with social issues, self confidence, and peer pressure issues. This book is an invaluable learning tool for parents and teachers to use with their children and students. As a teacher, I also appreciate the Tolkien references as well. So much fun!The writing in this book is phenomenal as well. It was written in a way that kids will easily be able to follow the story and understand it. I think even younger kids would appreciate the stories in this book. Each chapter acts as a sort of short story as well and the chapters are relatively short which means that even young children can stay focused on the story so that a chapter a night as a bedtime story would work perfectly. There aren’t illustrations in the book so that would be the one issue that might make younger children struggle with this book However, the illustrations at the front of the book and on the cover are so adorable! One of my favorite things about this book! I would honestly love to see more similar illustrations throughout the book. Overall, this is a phenomenal book that a wide range of ages will enjoy. Grab this one immediately! You won’t regret it and it will provide hours of quality time with the little one in your life!

I really loved this book. It’s an action-packed friendship story with lovable and funny characters. It was like reading a Pixar movie. It never got slow. The chapters are short, and each chapter could be a stand-alone folktale. This is a perfect book to read with a child or grandchild because there are so many conversation starters, but everything is done at a level that is easy for a child to understand. It reminds me of the Winnie the Pooh stories I read as a child. It cracked me up when every time Emma felt the need to cuss, all her “swear words” were Tolkien characters. It has such a positive message for any child but especially for kids who have peer struggles or social issues. I can see children reading this story over and over and finding something new to love each time. Just get it. It’s a keeper! I’m already back to order more copies for friends. It was that good.

Laugh out loud hilarious. For a book that is ultimately about self esteem, social skills, and identity, it is refreshing that the story has no agenda. This is an age appropriate story about self discovery that does not throw complicated messages about politics, sexuality or gender at the reader. The question at the center of the story is…Is it possible that a pet Guinea pig might actually be a German Shepherd or a fire breathing dragon? The characters are so funny. The story is fast paced and full of action. The setting is like reading your way through a Florida vacation. I can’t wait for someone to make this into a movie.

This is the kind of book you'll want to read to your kids over and over again, and that they will read again and again on their own too. The characters are unique and charming, and the message of friendship and helping others is heartwarming. I wish there were more books like this! Truly a classic!

This is one of those stories that is full of heart and hope. There are laugh-out-loud moments throughout the book along with some really important lessons for tween readers about the pains of growing up and just how valuable a trusted friend can be. The novel explores what identity really means, and how the people in our lives can shape our self-image. It was a fun and exciting read that was thought-provoking, inspiring, and beautifully written.

Great fun to read and I always have a captive audience when I read it out loud! Colorful interwoven stories that are wholesome, fun, and entertaining.