"Burns, a former grade-school teacher, uses clear, upbeat language that is accessible to young readers.

('She would love to be involved in redesigning the space, but what could she turn it into?' Charli wonders when passing the vacant lot.) The book, the latest in Burns’ STEM series, promotes positive female friendships and leadership roles . . . A cute, community-minded tale about dreaming big, problem-solving, and teamwork."--Kirkus Reviews

 

"Second in the fun and engaging Charli Explores STEM series, this book takes readers on another daydream adventure into the sciences—this time, landscape architecture. . . As a main character, Charli is curious and imaginative, encouraging readers to dream their own dreams about what is possible through STEM education. One fantastic aspect of this story and the series as a whole is how it focuses on the specific details of different STEM careers, such as the specific tools and projects a landscape architect might work with. These details help readers imagine themselves in these roles and relate them to their real, everyday lives. The story is presented as short chapters with simple text and lots of dialogue, and the colorful digital illustrations help readers picture more complex elements, such as what CAD software does. Informative and inspiring, this is a great story and a great series for readers who love to think about what they could be when they grow up."—The Children's Book Review

 

"Burns’s second installment in the Charli Explores STEM series, following Charli’s Turtle Triumph, is yet another thoughtful, relationship-driven day in the life of Charli. . . In Charli’s efforts to develop her design, Burns allows her to experience failures and pitfalls, teaching kids that no process is perfect—but with hard work, and a little help from Charli’s plant-loving friend, Emma, she succeeds at creating an exciting dog park with walkways, a splash pad, and Emma’s handpicked, canine-safe foliage. Charli’s willingness to ask for help and rework her park as many times as it takes is inspiring, and she never gets discouraged in the process: instead, she realizes that revision is a necessary part of creative design. For early readers, Charli’s Pawsome Park sparks innovation and offers practical advice and tools for any children interested in landscape architecture—or simply wanting to make their community a more inclusive, beautiful place. . . Takeaway: Young girl designs a dog park in this inspiring early reader."--BookLife Reviews

 

"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. . . 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."--The Literary Titan

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