Malooca and the Look of Love is a charming, rhyming storybook about a misfit girl growing up in a small town where she doesn’t quite belong. Malooca, teased for her clothes, hair, and food, struggles with loneliness and rejection until a surprise art contest brings out her creativity and helps her find confidence and acceptance. Through a mix-up at the award ceremony and a touching finale at the school dance, the story unfolds into a tale about self-worth, friendship, and unexpected kindness.

Reading this book was like watching a slow bloom. At first, I wasn’t sure where it was going. But the rhythm settled in, and soon I found myself completely rooting for Malooca. The writing is simple and heartfelt, almost like a poem a grandparent would write for their grandchild, which, fittingly, it is. What struck me most was the warmth that came through in the small details. Malooca’s mismatched clothes, her family’s weird sausage, her grandma’s handmade dress. It all painted a picture of someone who was loved, even if the world didn’t see it yet.

Sometimes the rhymes felt sweet and old-fashioned, like a sing-along from another era. The message was clear and meaningful. I really enjoyed the emotions it stirred. The artwork feels like it was lifted straight from a child’s imagination. Each sketch has a playful, hand-drawn style. The drawings aren’t overly polished, and that’s part of their charm. They look like a creative doodle in the margins of a notebook.

This book would be great for older kids, especially the ones who don’t always feel like they fit in. It’s also a sweet read for parents or grandparents to share with kids who are figuring out who they are. It has lessons about kindness, family, and resilience without being preachy. I think a lot of adults could use a refresher from Malooca Blutz.

Pages: 28 | ISBN : 1958943037