Juana Meets Gabriel, The Small Business Angel
Daphne A. Nowell
Illustrated by Esther Nowell

Reviewed by A. E. Jaskiewicz

Juana Meets Gabriel, The Small Business Angel offers exactly what the title implies.  A girl who doesn’t want to wait around to be rescued is helped by a guardian angel who inspires her to open her own successful business.  Accompanied with whimsical illustrations, Juana Meets Gabriel reaches out to young kids who have this very thought on their mind.

At the beginning of the story, Juana wonders why she should wait around for a prince to rescue her, as the fairy tales state should happen.  When she asks the universe for help, she is sent Gabriel, the Small Business Angel.  He informs Juana that she has many options other than waiting around to be rescued.  He offers her suggestions of small businesses that she could open, and even tips on how to go about opening one of these businesses.  Ultimately, Juana thinks this is a great idea and works hard to accomplish her goal.

The story of Juana Meets Gabriel is a good lesson for kids.  It shows them that they have options other than what people may be telling them they have to do.  It is designed to inspire children, mainly girls, that they can do whatever they feel in their heart they should do.  They could be strong and independent, like Juana, if they so choose.  There is even an index at the back of the book to help young entrepreneurs get started, with helpful website listings.

The illustrations in the book are cute and whimsical.  They offer a great way to move the story along, even for some of the younger readers.  Though cute, the pictures are not over-powering.  The softer colors used make the pictures seem more appropriate for older readers who may pick up the book.

While the book has an intended target of the four to nine year old age range, the subject matter, dialogue and more subtle pictures may not keep the attention of some of the younger readers.  With that said, I think this will appeal more to kids in the seven to nine year old age range.  It would be a good book for any little kid who wants to have the best lemonade stand on the street.

Juana Meets Gabriel definitely accomplishes what it sets out to do.  It shows the reader that you don’t have to fit into a mold which tradition has made for you.  It also encourages the reader to think to their future, and what they would like to do.  However, as I stated, it may be somewhat lost on the younger crowd.