Ella May isn't just a cute girl. She is also very independent, tenacious, original and imaginative, someone who likes to discover things by doing them. One day her mum says that it is good to try new things and that's what Ella May does. She starts walking backwards just to see how difficult it would be and what it would feel like. She continues doing this in various contexts until she starts a new craze. By this time, walking backwards doesn't feel like something new and exciting, so Ella May is off to something new. Cartwheels? Anyone?

I absolutely adored the artwork. It is cute, colourful and quirky- my favourite style.
Ella May is obviously a curious and imaginative child, perhaps not the easiest to parent, but you can bet she brings a lot of joy into the lives of her loved ones. You can always bet she'll find something unusual and worth exploring in the most mundane objects and activities.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Ella May is an independent thinker and she knows what she likes.

"Say hello to Ella May
A girl who does things her own way...

Likes dinosaurs.
Likes insects (but not beetles)
Likes stripes ( and apples )."

Thus begins the tale of a wee non-conformist.

One day her mum gives her something different to eat. Ella May is a little apprehensive to try it but mom encourages her and tells her, "It's good to try new things." Mmmmmm.... Ella quite likes that idea.

Later in the park she decides to try something new. She chooses to walk backwards throughout her day. That will be fun to try she thinks. Applying her rule to reading a book, going backwards upstairs to the bathroom and getting into bed backwards she discovers it's not as easy as she thought it would be. But Ella May is determined to keep on with her backward adventure. She continues her novel idea all through the next day at the playground which causes quite a stir with the other kids. A few days later while out on a shopping trip her mum decides to join her and see how it feels to move in backward mode.

The observant townsfolk see what the two are up to and decide to give it a try too. A huge parade of backward moving people ensue and as Ella May steps back and observes their antics she decides that she is ready to try something different... something brand new! Oh my! What could she possibly want to do next that is creative and untraditional? You will have to get the book and find out.

This is book number one of a brand new series. It will inspire kids to try out new things, think out-of-the-box and be an original. The artwork adds enrichment to the text and is very kid-friendly. I recommend the book and I back it for sure.

One day Ella May's mum encourages her to taste a new food, telling her that it is good to try new things. Ella takes this idea and runs with it, deciding to do things differently. For example, she walks backwards. Others catch on and walk backwards too, so Ella May decides to...read the book if you want to find out.

This is a short sweet story that young listeners will enjoy. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

We loved this book! Ella May is a headstrong little girl, and we loved that about her!

A good strong story about thinking outside the box and being willing to take risks. This one would be a great tool to teach little ones to embrace happiness their way. Fantastic and unorthodox illustrations did a great job supporting the story.

All parents will relate to this! Because if your child has never decided to do things her or his own way, you probably have a mythical child that everyone would like to have!
This is a book that will help you speak to your child(ren)/students about the importance of being yourself - a difficult concept for most humans, young, old and in between.

In this subtly amusing story, Ella Mae’s mother suggests to her that it is good to try new things. Ella decides to take this advice in ways that can only surprise her mother. She decides to walk backwards. But when when walking backwards catches on in the neighborhood, Ella May decides to do cartwheels instead. Attractive, colorful illustrations add to the fun. Ella May is thinking and experimenting all the time, and Mom seems just fine with that.

Ella May is a spunky little girl who is strong willed and determined. She finds she likes to try new things and be herself. I thought it was great how she stood out from the crowd by being herself and decided to try something new when people started walking backwards like her.

Her mother is very loving and supportive of Ella May and it is fantastic.

The illustrations were colourful and fun. It was great to see so many different people depicted throughout the city.

Ella May was/still is me! 😂

Growing up left-handed, I've always done things backwards or differently. I still do. Us lefties have to learn early how to think outside the box. But Ella May isn't left-handed (at least it's not said). She's just a child full of wonder. Questioning life and the way things are done should be encouraged and I'm happy Ella May does and that she has a community who supports her! 💕

My only real critique is that this is a Children's book aimed at children who will read it. As adults we may think to ourselves how we wish a child would stop doing something but if it's not harming the child or anyone/anything else then we shouldn't tell them to stop exploring their ideas. Yes, Ella May's mother doesn't tell her to stop out loud but the children reading the actual book will see/hear her thinking it and in my opinion, that's not really cool. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 

My final conclusion is that Ella May Does it Her Way is a fun book that will remind children to think outside the box; a great storytime read! 📚 

***Thank you to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group (words & pictures) for providing me with a review copy.***

***Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Ella May is not afraid to be different! This is a fantastic story about trying new things and not conforming.

A celebration of individuality and creativity! The text is accompanied by colorful and vibrant illustrations, depicting a diverse community. I can't wait to share this with my students, knowing that they will get a kick out of meeting Ella May.

This young children's picture book was just wacky enough to appeal to my sense of the strangely amusing. Like me, she finds herself wondering from time to time why things happen in a certain way or why things are done this way instead of that way, and one day she decides to change it up by doing things backwards or opposite. It's not just a case of Ella May, but Ella does!

This comes to a head when she begins walking everywhere backwards, and her mother decides to join her, and soon the whole town is doing it. But does Ella May stop there? Nope! A well-written, colorful, and very entertaining exploration of one child's take on life. If your child is in a reading rut, this will get them out of it!

Ah, Ella May sure does do things her way—and I sure do relate! As someone who insisted on writing backwards until 3rd grade I feel like we would really get along...

I actually laughed out loud at one part in this book (the contraption she creates).

Ella May’s mom is a realistic and sweet momma figure and I love that the story is really just the two of them. The art is gorgeous, quirky, and expressive. I thought it matched the story itself perfectly and the combo (and representation) is what ultimately had me sold on an otherwise pretty simple story.

The message actually ends up being a bit gentle towards the end but I found I liked it that way. I also need to chat with Ella May about how even though I’ve been mismatching my stuff for decades suddenly it’s cool now...?! What should I do about that, Ella May?

Anyways, I definitely want this book and I can see it being a fun one to read with kids. Easy options for conversation starters, social emotional lessons, beginning of the year how are we different type convos etc.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 for me.

Fun illustrations with diverse characters.

The ending was somewhat abrupt but happily there are more adventures to look forward with this imaginative little girl.

An engaging story for young readers to explore how to be open to new perspectives, bond with a community while preserving their individuality

I thought this was a fairly interesting book, but didn't completely agree with some of the author's writing about Ella May. I liked that she was a bit different from other girls, but then she *needs* to be unique and different at any cost. I am not sure that is the greatest message; being different is great, but you want to make sure you aren't doing that on purpose.

The illustrations were cute and the colors were fun. Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book.

I received an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Ella May is interested in trying new things and exploring life. She decides to walk backward just to be unique. Soon everyone else tries it too and she decides to move on to something different.
Jackson has created a joy filled story of a daring young girl who isn't afraid to be herself. The illustrations are done in subdued tones with pops of color to bring out the people and actions.
Terrific class read to discuss experimenting and figuring out what they like and dislike.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Quarto Publishing.

A book with a simple, positive message - find your own way and be open to trying new things. In this case, the theme isn't laid on in a heavy handed way. While some version of this story might show Ella have her unique ways of going a bout her business put into the context of her peers, who may judge her, here Ella thrives on her own and sets an example to others to follow suit. She defines her own identity and willingness to be open to the world, even if that means walking backwards into a trash can.

I personally enjoyed the artwork, which works in unison with the text design. There was thought put into the layout of the pages here and it all flows easily, which I find particularly important for children's stories. This is definitely a suggested book from me, especially for parents with kids who are in the early processes of figuring out who they are, what they like or dislike. The classic "try your broccoli, you might like it!" could have a (slightly) higher change of working after reading this book.

It’s a sweet, short story with charming illustrations that will make for an ideal nighttime story. The message is cute and I can really see this being the start of a wonderful series.

This is supposed to be the start of a new series about Ella. I'm not quite sure where it will go from here, but it can only go up. This first book is a one note wonder.

Ella starts to try a new thing, which is doing things backwards, and she keeps doing it, reading, and eating and walking, until others want to try it too. But then that makes her not want to do it any more. A bit pretentious, if you were to ask me.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5247" src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ella-may-does-it-hereway.png" alt="" />

THe pictures are colorful, and perhaps the stories in later books will have more meat on them.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Make way for Ella May because she wants to do things her own way!

Quirky, lovable and refreshingly single-minded, Mick Jackson couldn't have introduced us to the unforgettable Ella May at a better time, and I already can't wait to read more! Because who wouldn't love a fabulously fun picture book about one little girl going against the norm to try something new?!

Girls and boys alike will no doubt laugh out loud at Ella May's backwards walking and might even be encouraged to try something new from themselves..

Beautifully illustrated with a charming underlining message of trying new things and being yourself.