Book Review of Sincerely, Antonia: A Big Note from a Tiny Guest
The Children’s Book Review
Written by Cortney Cino
Illustrated by Tadgh Bentley
Ages: 5-8 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Whimspire Books (2025) | ISBN-13: 979-8988925170
What to Expect: Humor, perspective-taking, teamwork, clever insects, chocolate, and household chaos.
With wit, charm, and a sweet twist, Sincerely, Antonia delivers a laugh-out-loud tale of mistaken intentions and the power of seeing things from another’s point of view.
Narrated by the intrepid and articulate ant Antonia, this story turns the familiar nuisance of a messy house into an imaginative feast—quite literally—for an underground team of grateful guests. As Jay leaves trails of crumbs, spills, and sweet surprises in their wake, Antonia assumes it’s all a grand welcome gesture. But when the humans start acting “suspicious” (cleaning? insect sprays?), the ants launch a plan: write a thank-you note using—you guessed it—chocolate.
Beyond the humor and hijinks, Sincerely, Antonia offers a gentle lesson in empathy: how one situation can look wildly different depending on who you are and where you’re standing (or scuttling). Cortney Cino’s clever writing is sharp and funny, with sly observational humor that grown-ups will appreciate just as much as the kids. Antonia’s voice is both sophisticated and hilariously naive, making her the perfect narrator for a story about misinterpretations and shifting perspectives. And Tadgh Bentley’s illustrations are nothing short of brilliant—offering playful angles, expressive characters (ant and human alike), and an irresistible search-and-find element to look for Antonia on every page.
Sincerely, Antonia is a book that makes you giggle, nod in recognition, and maybe think twice before brushing away a crumb—or an ant. Zany, heartwarming, and sneakily wise, it’s a delightful read-aloud that turns an everyday pest into a most endearing protagonist. Whether you’re a neat freak or a chocolate lover, this is one letter you’ll be glad you received. A sweet and subversive treat—sure to become a family favorite.
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About the Author
Cortney Cino is the author of The Lights That Stay, Sincerely, Antonia, Finally Home, and the Piper’s Adventures series. With a background in marketing, she now writes and publishes children’s books full-time. Her experiences living in Washington, DC; Boston, MA; and Morehead City, NC, where her family was stationed with the military, have all influenced her writing. Cortney currently lives with her husband and three daughters in Northern California.
For more information, visit www.whimspirebooks.com.
About the Illustrator
Tadgh Bentley is an author, illustrator, and artist currently living in South-East Ohio. Originally from the UK, Tadgh is a self-taught artist whose publishing career began in 2012 with the release of his first picture book, Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups. He currently has 10 books for children published with HarperCollins, Scholastic, and more. Tadgh is a former middle and elementary school teacher and retains a passion for education. In recent years he has been working with traditional paint in the form of landscape painting, finding inspiration in the woods around his home.
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