Ivy Sue Klutz (Little MisFit - LMF) finds one of her first memories confusing. This is when she is three and a half years old and is at her sister Lynn's birthday party. Their cousin, Janet, asks the partygoers to guess what Lynn's birthday present is as the truck delivering the present is backing up to the front porch of their house. Unbeknown to LMF, Janet told the other kids not to really guess that it's a bike. You guessed - LMF guesses that her sister is getting a bike for her 5th birthday present. But instead of everyone being happy that LMF guessed the right thing, everyone is mad at her and none more than her mother. LMF runs off to her soon-to-be baby brother's bedroom and tries to hide behind his dresser, with her mother hot on her heels, yelling at her all the way. From this experience and many others through her 4th grade years in school, LMF learns the Life Lesson that Life Isn't Always What It Seems.
S. K. Grunin is a retired law enforcement officer and a retired college professor. For almost 20 years she taught for the University of Virginia and for a number of other colleges and universities. In addition, Dr. Grunin authored a published textbook that was used for her UVA Graduate School courses. Finally, she is a retired executive, who has also been an executive coach, a CEO, a human capital consultant and retired from the federal government, where she served in various positions for the federal courts, including over 25 plus years spent as a federal law enforcement officer. Dr. Grunin is a member of the executive board of the Gulf Coast Writers Association of SW Florida.
Book 1 of Little MisFit is the first in a series of seven books that Dr. Grunin is in the process of writing. Each of these books focus on an important life lesson. In book 2, the Life Lesson is: “Life Isn’t Always Fair”, in addition to writing books, Dr. Grunin is an artist too and she paints oil paintings. Pictures of her paintings and some of her other book titles can be found online.
She and her husband, Howard, have two sons, Jason and Justin. She resides with her husband and their Shiba Inu, Kona, in Naples, Florida.
Author's webpage: SKGCreations.com
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Reviews
19 reviews
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Life lessons can be mystifying and strange for anyone. This is especially true if you have a different view of a situation compared to those around you. My words can't describe what an enjoyable read this book was for myself. Bravo on book one. S.K. Grunin's words gently bring little Misfit's lessons for growing up to life and will evoke memories of your own experiences for similar life lessons. It is well worth owning a copy for yourself at any age if you have ever considered yourself out of step with others. It will also be a big help if you are currently engaged in supporting a little Misfit of your own.
Dr Sue Stein
ICF PCC Coach- Life, Leadership, and Wellness
Brandon, FL
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Great book for family dialogue during these times
Life lessons life isn’t always what it seems a delightful book is written especially for these times even at my age I could relate to my childhood and laugh when she was so excited to go to kindergarten..and discovered she was excepted to take a nap! when her younger tattle tale brother asked her what she did in school which wasn’t always the thing you should do she told him jokes instead one thing she did learn about life was her love of reading..that stays with you forever a great read for Grandparents to zoom and read to their grandchildren and open up the conversation about life lessons!
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An adorable little read! Reviewed by Linda SABOE
I recently shared this adorable, easy read book with my dear neighbours and their kids who are 9 and 4. We live in Florida, and to my surprise, they wanted me to even take it with us to the beach! We had already begun the book at home and they were anxious to keep hearing more. Both of the kids enjoyed hearing the stories and relating similar situations and stories they had faced. What could be better? It is a great way to not only entertain the kids, whether they read it themselves or have it read to them, but it also starts conversations on how sisters protect each other and what it feels like to feel “different” from others, which everybody feels once in a while. I highly recommend this little book and eagerly await the next in the series. So do the kids!
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This is a sweet little book that is quite pertinent to the times. It’s about a precocious, introspective little girl who tells her story about growing up in her earlier years. She puts herself in context about when and why she doesn’t fit in with friends and classmates. In doing so, she keeps peace with herself about who she is and she blossoms rather than becoming self-conscious and withdrawn. I think this book could be useful in helping children discuss their own misfit experiences and help them learn from them.
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Kids of all ages will love this book. The Author combines her wry wit and sense of fun to get the recurrent message, “Life Isn’t Always What It Seems“ across to the reader.
I can’t wait to read Book 2, and I’m well into my Senior Citizen years!
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A delightful little book the first in a series of what it means to not quite fit in. I look forward to reading more of these! The life lessons are good for kids over 7 or 8-year-olds to be read with their parents. Both will learn (or relearn) many of life's lessons together. I highly recommend it!
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Just finished S. K. Grunin's "Life Lessons and Tales of Little Misfit." Ivy Sue has a flair for the outrageous. Found myself laughing out loud. Reminded me of my childhood. I drank holy water too! Ivy Sue's love of reading is a message to all, and what a lifesaver it is! Truly a must-read for all children. Waiting for the next Little Misfit book.
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My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures and tales of Little MisFit-I heard him chuckling and he was totally amused with the holy water tale. I was so enthralled I didn't want the adventures to end and was delighted to read that in Book 2 the adventures will continue in the 5th grade where Little MisFit learned that Life Isn't Always Fair.' This book is fun for both children and adults and the tales can be shared along with one's own life experiences.
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What a refreshing read! LMF took me to my childhood and brought back so many memories. I had my children, ages 11 and 15 read the book. The want to write their own review. Dr. Grunin does a great job of reaching multiple audiences. A must-read!
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A clever way to show how to fit in when you don't fit in!
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What a fun book. Chuckled throughout. Great book for a family with children who “occasionally” get into mischief. Especially those kids who are very clever.
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Life’s Lessons gets your attention from the very first page. S. K. Grunin has a wonderful sense
of humour and wit, really bringing the characters to life.
Little Misfit, as a three-year-old, learned a real Life’s Lesson at her Sisters birthday party.
Little Misfit is a prankster! The pranks she played on her classmates will bring laughter to your day!
Little Misfit enjoyed spending time with Mrs Martin her neighbour.
She was very kind and helpful to Mrs Martin. A life lesson that brought joy to my heart.
This is truly a book that is written for all ages. I can hardly wait to read book 2!
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I really loved this book. I liked how she told us about how she felt and all the problems that I might have. I enjoyed reading it!
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t was easily consumable as each chapter acted as a separate story which makes it great for bedtime reading. The wording is written for an 8-10-year-old in my opinion. Karlina liked how Ivy Sue Klutz shared her feelings and the different scenarios presented seemed to resonate with her. I couldn’t help but think that any child who feels bullied, different, or is searching for self-understanding will resonate with the character. Given the alternative of reading Nancy Drew and the Invisible Staircase, she chose this book every night.
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LMF is a witty and humorous story of a little girl‘s first experience with the world of the grown-ups which puzzles her. She learns that „life is not always what it seems“ and realizes that she is different from the other girls. Despises girlish things and identifies herself rather with the figure of the „Tom Boy“. She gets in a lot of trouble but stands her ground. As soon as she has to take over responsibility unexpected changes occur. She discovers the world of books as a resource of knowledge.
It is a wonderful read written with wit and easy-to-understand style for young and old.
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What a fabulous book for the Little MisFit in all of us! The chapter format of the book and the underlying subjects that come through in Ivy Sue’s quirky adventures through life are sure to bring about great bedtime conversations between parents and children. It was a delight to find such a lovely book that will speak to any age. Now I just need Book 2!!
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Refreshing Tales from Childhood!
This little book captures the wonderful curiosity and creativity of childhood, depicting the humorous incidents of a young girl who tends to be an impulsive tomboy and prankster. It is interesting for an adult to see how children can interpret and misinterpret what adults do and say. I could relate to the tomboy and nonconformist stories easily. Because it is simply written with helpful illustrations, it is also suitable for young readers. Very enjoyable.
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This is a very fun and easy to read book. Great to read out loud with your child or in a classroom. Children can recognize themselves in the story and feel validated that they are not the only ones to go through these things. I think in today's world, children need to hear the message that in life you don't always fit in and that it is perfectly normal.
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Little Misfit is a laugh out loud, fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page, always anticipating the next chapter. I gave the book to my granddaughters to read which prompted tales of my growing up. I can hardly wait for the next book.
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