This picture book tells the story of some young animal friends. It is not super interesting or engaging. The illustrations are alright, but I'm not a huge fan of the style. The storytelling and writing could be a lot better, with more details and character development/conflict resolution. I don't have a problem with the book, but it is also not one I would prioritize when purchasing books for my classroom. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

I've been following Grumpy the Iguana since day one and this is a great addition to the series. The storylines and illustrations get better and better as more books are published.

I really liked the second book. I read the first one and liked the different lessons it taught. This one continues the lesson. Again it is entertaining, educational and appealing to look at. It sparks children's imagination as the friendship is formed with all different characters. It also shows it’s okay to face things that fear you and ask for help.I really like this series and will be looking for more adventures from this group of friends.

Thank you NetGalley and The Gourmet Dog LLC, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for accepting my request to read and review Growing Up is Hard To Do Part 1 and Part 2.

Author: Susan Marie Chapman
Published: 09/15/22
Genre: Children's Fiction -- Outdoors & Nature -- Parenting & Families

Please note, I review children's books as if I am randomly picking up the book reading to a child I don't know. With that said, both of these books are a miss for me, and note there will be a third book.

The books end mid thought. I questioned having a proper download. The first book started in what I consider missing a beginning. I looked and fiddled with the screen looking for a first page.

Unfortunately, there are more questions than answers when it comes to the title. Other than a manatee spends two years with its mother, there wasn't talk of growing up. The books seemed convoluted. I do wonder if these were accidental rough draft downloads.

The illustrations were okay. I was thrown off by the friendship species. The picnic scene had me thinking, don't birds eat mice.

The books were written for someone, specific, I do hope they worked for that person.

I reviewed together because the problems and issues are the same in both books.

the first book was not amazing content wise and this one was a certainly downgrade in quality, there was no message or point to the storyline unlike in the first. the illustrations are cute but the plot is just very non-engaging.

Thank you to The Gourmet Dog LLC and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

The sweet story continues exactly where it was left, baby manatee seeing the group of friends an iguana, mouse, parrot and squirrel friends. When they spot her are all so intrigued and want to learn more about this unusual creature.

I really loved how quickly they became friends with no judgement at all, the animal friends simply had never heard of or seen a manatee before. I loved that agin like the first book we are given more factual information this time from baby sharing it’s ugh her new friends.

I loved the adventure that they all went on together it was so adorable and squirrel was scared but went anyway and her friend still cared and supported her. Such a sweet story and a fun read.

yep, still no exact story about growing up as the title promised. in this book, Baby and her new friends exploring the marina together and they met humans who took their picture. definitely imaginative but that's fine

I thought that this was an enjoyable book

The story was easy to follow and it was fun to read with my daughter who thoroughly enjoyed it too, the illustrations are lovely and really made us smile

It is four stars from me for this one –highly recommended!

Growing Up Is Hard to Do Part 2 has such beautiful and cute illustrations!
The story was also entertaining as we see Baby manatee make new friends.