Ava as a Top Seller is another entertaining installment from Tuula Pere's illustrated Axel and Ava picture book series. While visiting the weekend market with her mom, young Ava reveals her desire to become a market vendor when she grows up. Mr. Stuff always has new goods to sell, so Ava makes her mom leave her in his shop while she does the rest of the shopping. Mr. Stuff, a kind man, is happy to let Ava be his little shop assistant. Ava is also proud to help shoppers find the right things to buy. When Mr. Stuff leaves on a coffee break, Ava continues her job until her best friend Axel arrives and reminds her that she forgot to charge the customers. Ava is horrified at her mistake, but all is not yet lost.

Children often find little adventures of their own when they go shopping with their parents. Ava as a Top Seller follows a young girl's adventures as a shop assistant. This fun-filled picture book will delight young readers as well as adults who like to see children participate in activities that sharpen their minds and enhance their entrepreneurial curiosity. Ava is a child you can't help but love. She likes to help others and has an intuitive mind about what a person might want or need. In this story, she learns a valuable lesson about paying attention to minute details, like taking payment after selling stuff to others. Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren's cartoon-like illustrations go well with Tuula Pere's lively adventure tale and are bound to appeal to young readers. As a whole, it's an entertaining children's book.

Ava as a Top Seller by Tuula Pere is a fun and unique children's book. As the story opens, we learn that Ava has been shopping with her mom many times. Today, crowds of colorful characters are also shopping in the town square. Market vendors are selling their goods. Ava pleads with her mother to go specifically to Mr. Stuff's stall. Once there, Mr. Stuff asks Ava if she wants to watch the shop while he gets a cup of coffee. The little girl is excited but nervous to do so. The shopkeeper tells her he will be in the booth next door to make her feel less anxious. With such a weighty responsibility on her shoulders, what can go wrong? What can go right? Although brief, the story contains an important moral.

Tuula Pere has created an ambitious situational plot in Ava as a Top Seller. The unusual story is both entertaining and even a bit suspenseful. But what I found most appealing is the underlying theme of expressed emotions. This story can be a learning tool for children about expressing feelings as well as conflict resolution. But the author has cleverly camouflaged the learning opportunity in a colorful tale. Ava is nervous and excited about selling goods from Mr. Stuff's store. When things don't go according to plan, Ana feels sad, upset, and even disappointed. Brilliant illustrations by Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren kept me engrossed in the book. I'm looking forward to seeing what adventures Ava has "in store" for me next time!