Book Review: Stripey Enid by Natasha Lea

I am a big advocate for the importance of reading, especially when it comes to children. That’s why I like to break from the usual schedule from time to time to bring you some children’s books. Today’s review is of the sweetest children’s book I have come across in a while.

Stripey Enid by Natasha Lea is all about Stripey Enid, an adorable character with an important message: ‘Believe in yourself, for you are unique!’ The purpose of the book is to remind children to be themselves in a world where they are bombarded with ideas of how they should look and act. Stripey Enid reminds the reader (or listener) to be proud of who they are. I appreciate the importance of the message Stripey Enid offers as a friend. It is good to build a level of self-acceptance in a child from a young age – and it also serves as a reminder to any adult readers.

Stripey Enid is written through simple language and rhyme, which helps younger readers to both read the book themselves but also remember the advice given. The pictures in the book aren’t so vivid but this is made up for by the activities provided. There are a number of activities for the child to complete, which includes filling in their name and picture and also compiling a list of what they see as their good points. I especially like this list as it is encouraging children to look deep within themselves, picking out good traits instead of bad.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. It is a fun way to start spreading a positive message to children from an early age.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Natasha Lea

Author of ‘Stripey Enid‘

It was over 10 years ago, during a marketing exercise to promote a new theatre company whilst studying Performing Arts, that the idea of Stripey Enid came to Natasha. Even back then, Stripey was seen to be different, something to challenge the norm, ask questions of people.

The idea of writing a book was never the intention but a natural progression on from the poems Natasha used to create for friends and family for birthdays & special occasions.

At the time Natasha was also working with a local Brownie pack and it was this interaction that made her realise that she was an adult in these children’s lives that wasn’t a parent or a teacher but a friend, a unique friendship that benefitted both parties.

Stripey came into being by the pure belief that Natasha had about peer pressure & social demands creating barriers between people, stopping people from seeing others as they truly are.