Milo and Georgie

A delightful lesson on the power of perspective and embracing new opportunities. Recommended especially for children facing life changes (moving, new school, etc.) who may be experiencing some related anxiety.

I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
This is a cute story about a brother and sister who have to move after their mom gets a new job. Georgie is excited about the new move, but Milo is devastated. Things will never be the same. They won't taste the same or sound the same. As they begin to get used to their new surroundings, Georgie convinces Milo to do some exploring. A good story for kids who have or will have to deal with a move.

Milo and Georgie's mom just got a new job. They all go out for ice cream to celebrate and she has breaking news... her job is in another city. Georgie is delighted with the announcement but Milo's heart melts. He retreats and vows:

"I will never smile again, never laugh, and never eat ice cream."

Oh my! In the following weeks Milo does all the "lasts" before leaving. He plays baseball for the last time, throws his last pitch, hits his last home run and weans himself from having fun forever.

At their new home Milo stays inside refusing to go out and mopes about indoors his. His indifferent attitude is good with Georgie for a while but she starts to get antsy and longs to explore their new neighbourhood. She pleads with her big brother:

"Please take me outside, Milo, I'll be super good."

Milo finally grants his little sister her wish but with some restrictions. He ties Georgie to the end of a huge ball of yarn and she must agree to come home when he tugs the string twice. Weeks pass and Georgie sticks to the rules and everything is going great. On one especially hot summer day Milo gives a tug ... no Georgie... another tug... still no response. Milo takes it upon himself to leave his safe space and go out and hunt for his little sister. Whatever could have happened to her? Where could she be?

This turn of events is a turning point in Milo's life. He steps outside into the unknown and discovers a whole new world of caring happy people who help him track down his beloved Georgie enabling him to smile once again and enjoy his life.

This heartwarming story has whimsical detailed illustrations that truly enrich the book. The storyline promotes strong family ties, the importance of community, and how you cope with big changes in your life such as moving. New adventures can be exciting and fun if you open up your heart to them and embrace unfamiliar things and places around you. I highly recommend this book.

Milo and Georgie’s mother gets a great new job and announces that with the new job comes a move. Milo is crushed. After one last baseball game at his old neighborhood he proclaims he’ll never be happy again, and once they move he refuses to go outside. His little sister Georgie can’t stand to be cooped up like Milo, so Milo ties a string to her and tells her to come home as soon as the string is tugged twice. Georgie comes home with wonderful tales of her adventures in the new city and something about gelato. Milo refuses to budge. But when Georgie’s string responds to his tug by coming back with no Georgie, Milo must venture out into his horrid new neighborhood. And things will never be the same.

Awww, what a sweet story. Milo may sound like a stubborn grouch, but anyone who has moved away from a place they loved will understand he’s just grieving. And he couldn’t have found a better neighborhood to grieve in or a sister to grieve with. I love that his sister gives him his space and lets him come out on his own time, even though she knows the new neighborhood is lots of fun. But even more, I love that once Milo does make it out (thanks to Georgie’s forays in the neighborhood and big heart), Milo finds numerous people eager to help him find his sister, welcome him into their lives, and make him feel that maybe you can love a new place while still missing an old one. A great story for any kid facing a move or still dealing with a past one. Also just a great story about how to be a good neighbor to new kids in your area. The illustration style reminds me of a mix of Isabelle Arsenault and Carson Ellis and fit the story well. I’ll be recommending the elementary library purchase this title, especially since we’re an international school and many of our students face really hard moves not just in a new neighborhood but often in a new country. Milo’s story may be the voice of understanding and hope they need in those times of difficult transition.

Poor Milo! Just when he thinks he will never have fun again he retires to his new bedroom refusing to explore his new surroundings. Instead he allows his little sister to take a look around but not before he ties a string to her with the explicit instructions that she must return when he pulls on the string twice.

Milo panics when Georgie does not follow instructions and he goes out to look for her meeting many people whom Georgie has left a lasting impression. Milo realises he has been missing out on many things while Georgie has been exploring. This is a story of community and people taking time out to get to know each other and look out for each other - a habit, I fear that is sadly lacking in today's busy society.

This is a heartwarming and sweet story which instils the importance of looking out for and taking care of each other. I can't wait to share this story with my daughter when she is a little older and able to understand it's message.

Milo and Georgie have to move to a new town, and Milo is so upset that he won't go outside to explore their new neighborhood. But Georgie loves their new house, and wants to explore. Milo ties a string of yarn around her and lets her loose on the neighborhood, but when he tugs on the yarn twice, Georgie is supposed to come home. One day, Milo tugs on the yarn, but Georgie doesn't respond! Milo has to go looking for his sister, and discovers a whole neighborhood full of new friends!

I loved this sweet story about moving and being upset about leaving behind all the things you loved about your old home. Milo is really determined to hate everything new that comes along, and I love how stubborn he is in the beginning! It's hilarious!

The contrast between Milo's bad attitude and Georgie's love for every new adventure is brilliant! Georgie is excited and happy about everything, and she comes home each day with stories of her neighborhood discoveries.

I moved around a lot as a child, and I was a mixture of Milo and Georgie. I loved each new adventure, but also felt sad to leave behind the familiarity of the old place.
This would be a wonderful book to read to children who are moving to a new location.

The artwork is delightfully whimsical and brightly colored!

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

What a heartfelt, moving picture book about the fear and pain associated with moving and the joy that can be found in the new. The string through the neighborhood in the illustrations was amazingly beautiful and told its own tale. The way the community came together for Milo and Georgie was just brilliant. I loved this story.