Just like the first one, this Anne of Green Gables spin-off picture book is very charming and sweet. The illustrations are gorgeous and dream-like, and the whole story gives off the vibe of being deep within Anne's imagination, which I love. The only note I have is that I can't quite decide if it's supposed to rhyme or not. It gives off the vibe that it should, as some of the lines are quite rhythmic, only when you read the next one it sometimes feels like it comes to a halt and is a bit jarring. But that could be my own imagination, I suppose. Anyway, this is very cute and I would definitely recommend for a small child!

Inspired by Anne of Green Gables, we see the iconic red-head at play as she imagines all the things she might be if she wasn't Anne - Anne with an "e".

Though readers don't need to know Anne to appreciate this story, details pulled from the novel will be appreciated best by fans. I've never been a big Anne Shirley fan, but I thought this was a lovely sweet picture book about imaginative play with some stunning illustrations. I was surprised by how much I liked it, and it would be a good way to introduce young readers to Anne's world.

This is a lovely book. Beautifully illustrated and written (I really love Kallie George), this is a great introduction to Anne of Green Gables for young readers, or a wonderful keep sake for lifelong Anne with an E fans.

THREE AND A HALF STARS

The illustrations of this book are stunning, and as a lover of Anne of Green Gables I enjoyed the intricate details and whimsical quality of them. There is not much text making this a very fast read, but I thought that the message of the story could have been more direct and less subtle. Much of the story required extensive knowledge of the Anne of Green Gables stories, so I do not know that this would serve as a good introduction for a child who knows nothing about Anne as a character. I think this book is more for the parents than the kids, but is definitely a beautiful book for die-hard Anne fans.

I've enjoyed the renewed interest in Anne of Green Gables, from fresh biographies and a miniseries to new publications. There is something captivating about Anne's presence that continues to draw new readers.

If I Couldn't be Anne is a whimsical picture book from Anne's perspective as she dreams of the world around her and the ways she would engage with it if she were not Anne. Perhaps she'd be the wind, or the echoes, or the water. 

The simple words are filled with lush illustrations, and well-versed readers will recognize scenes and references to books. On one page, Anne discusses kindred spirits, on another, she bemoans red hair (but confesses that's a better fate than green hair). On yet another, Anne is laid out in a boat with her eyes closed.

For parents who relish Anne of Green Gables but have young children not yet ready to be introduced to the series, this is a lovely placeholder.

(I was given a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

Love, love, LOVE! As a lover of all things Anne, I found this book so fun to read. I loved all of the references throughout the book, and I know that children who've read or been exposed to the Montgomery's books will love picking up on them, too! I look forward to using this book in my classroom after reading Anne of Green Gables.

Ann with an e is a beautifully illustrated children's book. It's a book that talks about all that Anne hope's she could be. There's references that any Anne of Green Gables fans will love. Although it just abruptly ends talking about how some things are better than imagination with a picture of her best friend Diana I would imagine. It's not specifically stated as such. Children will love the beautiful little story.

“Because some things are even better than imagination”

It’s no shock that I loved this picture book. It captures one of my favorite literary heroines in such a beautiful (literally, the illustrations are gorgeous) and honoring way. Anne always wants to be more than she is, but in the novel and in this picture book she realizes that her life is pretty charmed just as it is.

Full disclosure- I Love Anne of Green Gables! I found this book to be AMAZING!! I felt like I was reading an essay assignment assigned to Ann (with an “e”) during her schooling. Highly recommend this for those who love the original series, This would be a great introduction to the series for younger children.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely LOVED this book! Lucy Maud Montgomery's character Anne of Green Gables comes to life in this beautifully illustrated picture book. In classic Anne fashion, she fantasizes about the many different things she would like to be such as the wind, a flower, and even a tightrope walker! However, by the end, Anne is glad to be herself - Anne with an 'e'.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who love imagination, beautiful illustrations and Anne of Green Gables.

What a delightful little introduction to Anne of Green Gables! This book looks at who Ann with an e could be if she were someone or something else. The illustrations are are sweet and bring you into the story and whet early readers' appetites for more Ann with an e.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book for my honest opinion.

For fans of Anne of Green Gables, this book would be a delightful addition to their library. I haven't read Anne of Green Gables yet, but I can say that I still enjoyed this book. The illustrations are delightful and the text uses a recurring scaffold that would work as a great model for young readers to follow in a writing workshop mini-lesson. In all, this was a pleasant read, and though it is probably destined to be biggest among Anne of Green Gables collectors, it's still a worthwhile book in its own right. Nicely done.

Simply a beautiful book, from the stunning illustrations to the whimsical, dreamy text. If you are familiar with Anne you are sure to enjoy more than those who are not, however I think most anyone could find enjoyment in this picture book. Children love to imagine and daydream up what they might be when they grow up and of course in their pretend play, and I think this book is a wonderful companion to those thoughts and the conversations that can come from it. I recognize that some may find the language too sophisticated for the typical picture book audience but I think that misses the point of the theme of the book, which I believe would resonate with even the youngest audience. If you are simply a fan of Anne, I think this would also make a wonderful addition to your library too,

'If I Couldn't Be Anne' by Kallie George with illustrations by Genevieve Godbout is a picture book in a series of books about Anne Shirley, the protagonist of 'Anne of Green Gables.'

Anyone familiar with Anne Shirley knows she has a pretty large imagination. Here she imagines all the things she could be if she couldn't be Anne. She imagines herself as a gull, or a tightrope walker or a fancy lady, among other things.

I've enjoyed this series. Kallie George has a really good sense of the original story. The real star of this series are the gorgeous illustrations by Genevieve Godbout. I'm a fan of her style and it is on full display here.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

If I Couldn't Be Anne is an excellent way to introduce kids to Anne of Green Gables and show them the power of imagination. Once you finish this book, be prepared for an intense desire to re-read the entire series or watch the 1980's miniseries or both. You can never get enough of Anne!

This is a beautifully illustrated book that explores the imagination of Anne with an e, and what she would be, if she wasn't herself.

This beautifully illustrated picture book is written from Anne's perspective as she tells the reader what she would be if she could not be herself. She imagines herself as different animals and fantasy creatures, pictures herself in different life situations, and concludes with all the things that are wonderful about her life. As a long-term fan of the Anne series, I enjoyed this picture book's many nods to Anne's character and different elements from the book.

Previously, I found this author's early chapter book adaptations of Anne of Green Gables inadequate and disappointing, because like most adaptations, they rip the story down to the bare bones and remove much of its charm. However, because this is a supplementary picture book, not an adaptation, it is fully enjoyable for both book fans and people who are only just learning about Anne. Fans will have fun sharing this book with their children, since it is simple, sweet, and charming without spoiling story elements of the series or retelling it poorly.

The illustrations are simple but absolutely radiant, and the text is rhythmic and sweet. This is a delightful picture book, even aside from its associations with L.M. Montgomery's work, and it works as both a general read-aloud and a bedtime story. This will appeal in school and library settings as well as to families, and is a fun introduction to Anne.

If I Couldn’t Be Anne by Kallie George
Publication Date: May 12, 2020 - in 3 days!

Description from NetGalley...
“A beautiful read-aloud picture book about the power of the imagination, inspired by the best-selling Anne of Green Gables.

In this whimsical and magical picture book, Anne's boundless imagination takes flight! She imagines being all the things she loves so dearly. If I Couldn't Be Anne, Anne with an e, what would I be . . . Anne wonders what it would be like to be the wind dancing round the treetops. A tightrope walker, breathless and brave. A princess in a palace made of apple blossoms. A magical frost fairy or a plain little wood elf. . . . But even as Anne's imagination soars far and wide, she comes back down to earth, recognizing that some things - like friendship! - are even better than the imagination.”

Thank you to @NetGalley, @penguinrandomhousecanada @tundrabooks for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.

My thoughts...
If you’re a fan of Anne of Green Gables, you might want of copy of this book. It’s not a story per se, but more a rhythmic prose that is an ode to Anne. Throughout the book, there are references to what we’ve come to know about Anne and the world around her. It’s quite nostalgic. And if you’re an adult who loves Anne of Green Gables, you might find this book, with whimsical and warm illustrations, a great introduction for children.

This felt like a bit of a love letter to the character Anne from Anne of Green Gables. I am not sure how well it will work for those that are not fans. Still a beautifully illustrated book with some interesting things about imagination and spirit, but it surely plays better for fans of the classic novel/TV show/movie.

I love how Kallie George fosters a love for Anne of Green Gables to the next generation of readers. Wonderful illustrations and endearing text.