Charli’s Pawsome Park is about a curious girl who meets a landscape architect and instantly starts wondering what it would be like to design parks herself. The spark grows into a full-blown daydream where she imagines creating a dog park in her town. With her friends, some trial-and-error problem solving, and plenty of imagination, she sketches, models, and pitches her idea to the town council. In the end, her vision comes to life, and she learns that with creativity and teamwork, anything is possible.

I really enjoyed how this children’s book made a big idea like architecture feel fun and doable for kids. The writing has an easy rhythm, and the dialogue feels natural, like real kids talking to each other. I liked that Charli wasn’t perfect. She hit bumps, like realizing bushes blocked views or that a tunnel led dogs straight into a mess. Those little “oops” moments made the story feel alive. It didn’t read like a lecture on STEM. It felt like a playful adventure with just enough detail to spark interest without bogging kids down.

The theme of dreaming big hit me the most. I liked how Charli’s curiosity spun into action, and the story showed the whole process, from idea to fixing mistakes to presenting in front of grown-ups. It felt empowering, like a nudge saying kids’ ideas can matter too. The dog park concept itself was adorable, and the splash pad ending made me smile. The pictures also carried a lot of charm, like a Disney Channel cartoon. They pulled me into Charli’s world and made me want to cheer for her.

I think this picture book is a great pick for kids who love animals, enjoy drawing, or are just curious about how the world is built. It would be a fun read-aloud in classrooms, especially if teachers want to spark interest in STEM without making it feel heavy. Parents who want their kids to see that girls can design big, bold things will find it extra special.

Pages: 91 | ISBN: 978-1-964845-04-3