Book Review of Five Different Boo-boos
The Children’s Book Review
Five Different Boo-boos
Written by Maggie Keefe
Illustrated by Vaughan Duck
Ages: 2+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: Margaret Keefe (2024) | ISBN: 979-8992510904
What to Expect: Rhyming Text, Bravery, Humor, and Resilience
Every parent knows the inevitable parade of skinned knees, bumped elbows, and tearful tumbles that come with raising adventurous little ones. Five Different Boo-boos answers their call with a spirited celebration of childhood resilience that turns everyday tumbles into badges of courage.
Readers follow a plucky young protagonist through a week of minor mishaps—each one a testament to the bravery it takes to explore, play, and try new things every day. Rather than dwelling on the ouches that ensue, this picture book reframes each boo-boo as a medal of honor, with the overall message that “You are brave, you are strong, you can do hard things!” It offers reassurance and encouragement for children learning to dust themselves off and keep going.
Maggie Keefe’s rhyming text delivers excellent cadence that sings along beautifully, making this an ideal choice for reading aloud—the rhythm flows naturally, helping young readers with sound recognition and phonemic awareness. At the same time, the playful typography adds another layer of engagement with words like “flipped,” “scrape,” “ripped,” and “crack” highlighted for effect, as the text itself often “bumps” and “thumps” across the page. This interactive approach to layout transforms reading into a multisensory and enjoyable experience.
Bringing the words vibrantly to life are Vaughan Duck’s absolutely adorable illustrations. Rendered in bright, happy colors that capture the energy and optimism of childhood, each page offers plenty of visual details for young readers to discover and discuss. Extending the read-aloud experience beyond the text itself, the artwork perfectly balances the “ouch” moments with warmth and humor, ensuring that even the boo-boos feel manageable and not scary.
Both encouraging and lots of fun, Five Different Boo-boos is sure to resonate most with preschool and early elementary readers who are building confidence in their physical abilities—whether learning to ride a bike, climb at the playground, or try any new challenge.
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About the Author
Maggie Keefe is the author of two silly poetry books for kids, Day Dreaming and One Little Voice. Her passion for silliness and love of children’s literature joined forces and erupted upon her retirement. After completing her poetry books, she could feel a chapter book ready to bust out. This uncontrollable urge resulted in Trouble’s Tale, a heartwarming story of a family of misfit pets that find the perfect fit. (Available online) Maggie will be adding another chapter book to the series, The Clever Cat Chronicles, in Fall 2024. Whiskers in the Wild will continue the story of the lovable misfits we get to know and grow to love in Trouble’s Tale.
Maggie resides in the northeast kingdom of Vermont for half the year, escaping to Sarasota, Florida, when the long, cold Vermont winter sets in. What could be better than spending summer in the mountains and winter by the beach AND writing silly, quirky children’s books?
About the Illustrator
Vaughan Duck loves drawing pictures that make kids giggle. His first attempt at illustrating a children’s picture book, The Ant Explorer, was shortlisted for the Lothian Centenary Children’s Book Award. In 2020, he illustrated Big Beach BBQ, published by Larrikin House. Facing the Wave quickly followed in 2022. Without knowing it, kids throughout Australia have grown up with Vaughan’s illustrations because he’s illustrated over 300 textbooks and readers for educational publishers. Before he became mega-famous, Vaughan designed toys (so much fun) and kids’ lunch boxes and backpacks.
