Wednesday Wilson Connects the Dots

Starred review from June 1, 2023

Gr 1-4-Spunky Wednesday Wilson is back in this third book in the series with another business idea, of course! When school is unexpectedly closed for the day, Wednesday and Charlie have the whole day to come up with a new idea. Their first idea is a dog-walking business, but after Charlie is made fun of for having freckles by the three Emmas, Wednesday's ex-friend Ruby surprisingly comes to his defense by saying people pay to get freckles tattooed to their faces. This gives Wednesday the idea for their new business: drawing freckles on customers using her mom's art pens. Even better, Wednesday and Charlie find out why Ruby stopped being their friend and became one of the Emmas. The book is filled with surprising twists and turns that will keep young readers glued to the page. Goble's bright illustrations bring the story to life and highlight the diverse characters. An author's note at the end explains how her children were the inspiration for the series because as children of mixed race they weren't seeing themselves represented in books. Wednesday is a creative problem-solver who doesn't give up even when things don't turn out how she planned. She's a good friend and a great role model. VERDICT An absolute treasure to add to all collections.-Heidi Dechief

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2023
An 8-year-old is eager for a new business venture. Wednesday Wilson, a biracial girl with brown skin and wavy dark brown hair, wants to become an entrepreneur so that her two mothers will never have to worry again about paying the bills. Mum, who presents as White, with short, straight hair, owns a pizza truck, while Mom, who presents Black, with short Afro-textured hair, is an artist. While Wednesday and her friend Charlie have yet to find success in business, they refuse to give up. They have the day off from school, so they decide to go over business ideas. But then Mom invites over Wednesday and Charlie's former friend Ruby. Ruby's new friendship with mean girls known as the Emmas troubles both Wednesday and Charlie. During breakfast with Wednesday's younger brother, Mister, Ruby provides helpful input--can Wednesday, Charlie, and Ruby rekindle their friendship? The three of them, along with Mister, plan a dog-walking business, pivot to a makeup service that paints freckles on clients, execute their new plan, and call in help when needed. This upbeat story provides readers with information and vocabulary for building a business but even greater lessons about friendship, communication, and self-worth. In the cartoonlike illustrations, Ruby is brown-skinned, while Charlie is light-skinned. A fun story with high appeal for budding entrepreneurs. (Chapter book. 6-8)

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May 1, 2023
Grades 2-4 Eight-year-old Wednesday, an aspiring entrepreneur, and Charlie, her best buddy, are attempting to choose a new business idea when one of Wednesday's mothers informs them that their ex-friend Ruby will be spending the day with them. The three kids walk to a nearby park and set up a freckle business, applying dots to their clients' faces using special markers. What could possibly go wrong? The third volume in the Wednesday Wilson series offers grade-school drama played out among friends, rivals, and family members. With somewhat large type, plenty of white space, and attractive grayscale illustrations on most of the double-page spreads, this volume is well designed for children transitioning to chapter books. The amusing first-person narrative will please Wednesday Wilson fans as well as readers new to this enjoyable series.

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