Stella & Marigold

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Book 1 of Stella & Marigold
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Oct 01 2024 | Archive Date Oct 01 2024

Talking about this book? Use #StellaMarigold #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

A USA Today and National Indie Bestseller!

From the creatorsof the New York Timesbestselling Ivy + Bean comes a fun and funny new series about two small sisters with very big imaginations.

★ — “Readers will long for a sibling like Marigold or Stella.” — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
 
★ — “All the heart. None of the pablum. Sisterhood at its finest and freshest.” — Kirkus, Starred Review

Generations of readers have fallen in love with Ivy + Bean, which has sold over 8 million copies and been adapted into a popular Netflix Original Film series. Now, bestselling author Annie Barrows and illustrator Sophie Blackall are back with the first book in a bright new series about a pair of sisters named Stella and Marigold.

Stella, who’s seven, is kind, a good storyteller, and ponders big questions like, what do animals think of people? Marigold, at four, tells imaginative stories (her mother calls them “fibs”) and likes to wear her favorite Halloween costume year-round. Stella and Marigold do all the regular things—like going to school, playing, getting sick sometimes, and visiting the zoo—but even the most regular things have a secret side.

Sure to delight fans of Ivy and Bean, these adventure tales—animated with full-color illustrations of the sisters’ encounters with magical bathrooms, snow monkeys, dream lions, howling wolves, a lost Vice President, and much more—are filled with vibrant characters, creative storytelling, and a whole lot of laughs.

BELOVED CHILDREN’S BOOK CREATORS: Annie Barrows is the author of numerous award-winning and New York Times–bestselling books for children and adults, including The Magic Half, The Best of Iggy Series, and The Truth According to Us. Sophie Blackall is an award-winning illustrator of over 50 books for children, including the 2016 Caldecott Medal winner Finding Winnie and the 2019 Caldecott Medal winner Hello Lighthouse, which she also wrote.

CLASSIC / CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS: No one creates universal yet unique characters the way Annie and Sophie do. Their distinctive combination of stories and art centered on family connection, empathy, and understanding appeal to adults, who find them lovely, and kids, who find them relatable (and laugh-out-loud funny!).

GREAT FOR NEWLY INDEPENDENT READERS: With lots of adventure, a dynamic relationship that captures an enormous range of emotions, and colorful pictures that bring the text to life, this series is perfect for emerging readers.

STRONG SIBLING RELATIONSHIP: The warm, loving relationship between Stella and Marigold is at the heart of this book. Parents looking for a positive depiction of the ups and downs of sisterhood will love this series.

Perfect for:
  • Independent readers age 6-9
  • Parents, teachers, and librarians seeking entertaining elementary school chapter books
  • Gift-givers looking for an early readers series for kids who enjoy stories full of humor and heart
  • Readers who love such bestselling book series as Ivy + Bean, Junie B. Jones, Beezus and Ramona, Dory Fantasmagory, and Princess in Black
A USA Today and National Indie Bestseller!

From the creatorsof the New York Timesbestselling Ivy + Bean comes a fun and funny new series about two small sisters with very big imaginations.

★ — “...

Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781797219707
PRICE $15.99 (USD)

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)
Download (PDF)

Average rating from 29 members


Featured Reviews

This is so cute! The same fun, authentic children's voices as Ivy & Bean for the younger set. Stella & Marigold are 2 young sisters growing up together. They often imagine fantastic worlds, and the book is fully illustrated.

Annie Barrows does a great job of capturing the chaotic, imaginative energy of little kids. I would highly recommend this to anyone with young readers!

Thanks to NetGalley, Annie Barrows, and Chronicle Books for the chance to review the advanced copy!

Was this review helpful?

This new book by the author of the Ivy + Bean series is bound to be a classic. Two sisters with big imaginations tell stories and go on adventures while learning lessons about right and wrong. Chapters are the perfect length for reading one a night as bedtime stories. Sisters are very relatable and will be beloved by children. This would be the perfect gift to give a daughter when a new sibling is arriving. Or to give to two sisters. Or - really - for anyone with kids or grandkids!

Was this review helpful?

This was an adorable story about two girls and their adventures. I loved the illustrations and my students will love the stories. This would be a good read aloud for younger grades or a good challenge for some higher readers. The story was entertaining and heartfelt.

Was this review helpful?

Stella and Marigold are sisters with wonderful vivid imaginations. A series of short-short stories show their loving sibling relationship and the amazing stories and games they invent. Sophie Blackall beautiful art heightens Annie Barrows storytelling. Shout-out to the Betsy-Tacy book on the bedroom floor. A pure joy to read again and again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this DRC.
#StellaMarigold #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

This is such a sweet story!
I loved watching how much Stella loves Marigold and how she teaches her things.
The illustrations are cute and give a great representation of these characters.
A fun new series by Annie Barrows that will be loved by many!

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

Was this review helpful?

Stella and Marigold are sisters. Stella is in 2nd grade, while Marigold is in preschool. This book takes them on adventures at home and school. The girls have quite an imagination and love to use it. This book is just right to read aloud or for a beginning chapter book reader. The illustrations are sweet and really make the story come alive. What a great story!

Was this review helpful?

This was the first time I read something so quick and giggled out loud excessively! @anniebarrowsauthor and @sophieblackall teamed up and created "Stella & Marigold". A wonderfully written and illustrated chapter book for junior readers!
Stella and Marigold are sisters, who are only 2 years apart, but tell and do everything together. They share secrets, create worlds/scenarios based off their imagination, and most of all - they show the love that they have for one another throughout the entire book that all sister relationships should have.
Highly recommend this book to any young reader who liked the Ivy + Bean series and anyone who needs a warm cozy read! This book feels like you are growing up with Stella and Marigold! +

Was this review helpful?

Pjs, cuddling, and story-time before bed is a favorite at our house! The last couple weeks the kids had so much fun reading some new material I was given advanced copies of. It’s cute how now they ask what new books I have to read. As soon as I’m finished they will tell me what they loved about the book. My great little reviewers! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚📖 @netgalley #netgalley

Mandela Cloudy Days by Kuljinder Kaur Brar ( comes out Oct 21)
Her dad is a truck driver and she has to learn how handle her “stormy cloud emotion” days. A great book about emotions.

From Plant to Plate by Darryl Gadzepo (comes out May 20)

Odd Animal Out by Ben Hoare (comes out May 20)

Mel and Mac by Elena Joannides (comes out Nov 13)

100 First Words for Little Utahans by Christopher Robbin’s (comes out June 17)

The Most Perfect Persimmon by Hannah Chung (comes out Aug 12)

Call Me Roberto by Nathalie Alonso (comes out Aug 26)

Addition and Subtraction Kindergarten Math Workbook (comes out May 20)

Callis Fun Bilingual Tales by Jorji Colley (comes out June 17)

The Strangest Fish by Katherine Arden (comes out September 2)

Santa’s New Start by Aditi Wardhan Singh (comes out April 21)

The Blue Canoe by Sheryl McFarlane (comes out July 8)

In Time by Marina Ruiz (comes out July 8)

The Wind in the Willows (comes out July 31)

Stella and Marigold by Annie Barrows (comes out Sept 30)

Emily Snook by Laura Bower (comes out Sept 16)

Trunk Goes Thunk by Heather C Morris (comes out Sept 9)

Swinging into History by Karen L Swanson (comes out Aug 5)

Sonya and the Super Duper Disaster by Rachel Funez (comes out July 22)

Squirrel Needs a Break by Kristen Remenar (comes out May 6)

Pickle Words by April Pulley Sayre (comes out July 15)

She Sells Seashells by Heidi Stemple (comes out July 15)

Squawk of Spanish by Gabrielle Aldeman (comes out Aug 12)

Just Us by Mary Beth Griffin (comes out Aug 26)

Trabsportation by DK (comes out May 20)

The Bedtime Book of Magical Creatures by Stephen Krensky (comes out May 27)

Was this review helpful?

This was an absolutely adorable book. I think every mom with daughters needs to have this book for them! The illlusyrations are beautiful as well. Highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

A chapter book about two sisters and their sweet friendship, Stella and Marigold is a new offering from the Ivy and Bean team. In Quick chapters about each sister, this story boasts large vocabulary for a beginning reader and trademark Blackall illustrations of rounded-faced and cheeky children. Each vignette is simple and tells a story only a child would find important and relevant, and it feels like the book is written with a child’s perspective in mind. It is sweet and quirky and I love that Marigold is a bit of a pill sometimes, but something about the dialogue and storytelling feels distant. I feel like, because of who this book is written and illustrated by, I’m almost required to like it when in reality, it left me feeling rather meh. I think this book will do well, I think teachers and librarians will like it and recommend it, but something tells me it won’t have the success of Ivy and Bean. I could be absolutely wrong! I hope children embrace it the way the did Ivy and Bean, as it would be a lovely bridge book between early readers and novels or just to be read to by family members in short installments.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I received a free copy of, Stella & Marigold, by Annie Barrows, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Stella & Marigold are close as to little sisters can be, they have the most amazing adventures in real time and their imagination. A really good read, I loved the illustrations.

Was this review helpful?

This is a sweet chapter book that should appeal to kids in early elementary school. It's realistic fiction centering on two sisters and their daily adventures. I love that it is heavily illustrated and I think that will help its appeal even more. I plan to buy the series for my elementary library.

Was this review helpful?

My first grade students loved this book because the two sisters had a lot of fun together and do a lot of fun things. Stella and Marigold are brave, helpful, and kind sisters; they are great role models for sibling relationships. They liked that it was realistic fiction but had some imaginary parts too through the creative minds of the sisters. The illustrations were excellent and added to the storyline. Some of the chapters ended a little abruptly and my students wanted more to the stories.

They also thought it was hilarious that the plumber's name was Ellis because that is my (their teacher) daughter's name. They were disappointed when it was over; I am hopeful that this becomes a longer series like the author and illustrator have done with Ivy & Bean.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Stella & Marigold is a sweet children’s chapter book about two sisters, written by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. This is my first book by this author, but the cover and title really stood out to me, and I am glad that I read it! This book tells stories of the different adventures these sisters have, and how they help each other. It kind of reminded me of the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary,
I enjoyed the different adventures these sisters had, and the ways they cared for each other. I think this would be a great book for sisters their ages to read together. Thank you to NetGalley, and to the author, illustrator, and publisher of this book for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A sweet chapter book about two sisters. I think this would make a good read-a-long, or young classroom book. I liked the authentic kid voices and situations, and I loved the illustrations.

Was this review helpful?

Wonderfully delightful book about the joy of having a sister to do all kinds of fun things with. Says geared for middle school but think could be read by advanced readers as low as second grade mainly because there are delightful illustrations woven throughout. A good read a loud for younger ones as well.

Was this review helpful?

Stella and Marigold are better than friends, they're sisters. And no matter what life hands you, whether it's getting lost at the zoo, a sick day, or your best friend making a new friend, your sister always has your back. Stella and Marigold are endearing characters who face real-kid situations with real-kid points of view. Barrows' voice is lovely and captures the wonder and imagination with which these two girls see the world.

Was this review helpful?

As a girl mom of two I could not have been more excited to get an ARC of Stella & Marigold. My oldest loves loves lovessssss Ivy+Bean so when I saw this was coming out, I squealed lol!

This book is literally adorable. I love the cover; I love the illustrations. I love everything about it!!! They are the cutest duo!!! I will be preordering the physical copy for our bookshelf! Thank you for the advance copy!

Was this review helpful?

While this wasn't my favorite early chapter book, I definitely think it will find a readership in early readers. My favorite thing about the story is how Stella and Marigold show by example how to utilize your imagination to take something ordinary and make it extraordinary. The fact that they are sisters and not simply friends adds a depth that I can respect and recommend to others. The illustrations, as I've come to expect from Sophie Blackall, were nothing short of delightful!

3.5 stars, rounded up.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

My family enjoys the antics of Ivy and Bean, so we were very happy to preview the debut of the author's newest series, Stella & Marigold. A beginner chapter book about two sisters, the characters were fun and engaging. The book also has shorter chapters and illustrations throughout, perfect for younger readers. However, this story felt pretty disjointed to me. Besides that, I recommend this series for a fun read aloud that younger kids are bound to enjoy.

Thank you to Chronicle Books for gifting my family with an ARC to review. All opinions are our own.

Was this review helpful?

What an absolutely delightful read! The short stories are the perfect length and the subject matter and voice are so captivating and appropriate. It truly feels like we are seeing the world through a childlike lens. I love the relationship between the two sisters. This is a book (and hopefully a series) that is sure to become an instant classic! When my 7 and 9 year old saw me reading this advance reader's copy, they were quick to offer "help" give their opinion (they LOVED it!).

Was this review helpful?

What a lovely book about 2 sisters that have wonderful names. The cover caught my eye. Then when I read the information about the author, I realized I have read some of her books before. This one like the others did not disappoint. The illustrations were wonderful and so was the story. The little girls have great adventures where each chapter could almost be its own story. The imaginations of the girls is wonderful. Definitely a book I will recommend to teachers and parents.

Was this review helpful?

Such a cute story about sisters. I think my students who love the Ivy & Bean stories will also like these chapter books. The pictures are very engaging and adorable.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: