• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3

Links Best Books 2010 - Picture Books

Prince Hayden MacCheeky is a real little prince who is always busy doing something. Prince Hayden has so much fun playing on his own with his royal toys that he never wants to share them with anyone else.

On a visit to his cousin Princess Ella's castle, Prince Hayden can't wait to start playing with her royal toys. After all, it is a well known fact that Princess Ella has some of the finest toys in the land! To his shock and dismay, Princess Ella refuses to let him play with any of her royal toys. Prince Hayden soon discovers that when people don't share, feelings get hurt. And when feelings get hurt, it's no longer fun.

Prince Hayden MacCheeky is a lovable, humorous character who appeals to male and female readers of all ages, from all walks of life. If he doesn't remind us just a little of ourselves, then he most certainly reminds us of someone close to our hearts.

Each story in the MacCheeky series teaches a simple life lesson.

Born and raised in Montreal, Anita Reynolds MacArthur relocated to Toronto to pursue a career in educational publishing. She worked for 15 years editing other people''s words before deciding to write some words of her own. She currently resides in a Toronto suburb with her husband, three children, and the family dog Goober.

Anita Reynolds MacArthur's profile page

Technically speaking, Karen Roy studied Graphic Design at Durham College, which sounds rather serious...but mostly she was scribbling on scrap pieces of paper rather than paying attention. Then she found out that she liked to scribble on her computer even more.

Karen Roy's profile page

"The wide appeal of the McCheeky books certainly derives from the listener's instant recognition of that bumptious little miscreant. Karen Roy's illustrations are great fun. According to information on the verso of the title page, they were created digitally using Adobe Illustrator CS4. Whatever the method, the artist has the facial expressions of the royally spoiled prince and princess down pat. Varying the text with bold-face and super-sized letters for emphasis in the story is a technique which will help advance both letter recognition and reading skills in six and under group. Small listeners have been heard to opine that the McCheeky books are "way cool. " Parents, elementary librarians and childcare specialists would do well to listen up to these pint-sized reviewers.
Highly Recommended."
-- CM Magazine

"Anita Reynolds presents a common childhood problem, toy sharing, in a humorous story that kids will all relate to. . . The illustrations are digitally created, colourful and eye-catching. . . Early primary teachers will enjoy using this simple, high-interest book as a read aloud to encourage social responsibility in the classroom. . . Highly recommended for early primary grades."
Rated E (Excellent)
-- Resource Links

"Its charm and punch is enhanced by delightful whimsical illustrations and capitalized outbursts that brim from every page."
-- Midwest Book