Instagram story viewer> @readwithriver> Tagged

Alessandra Requena

@readwithriver

17.3K

followers

1489

following

🌈”Amusingly Absurd”-says Kirkus
🇨🇦sharing the things that delight me.
📖I DON’T CARE WHAT SIMON SAYS @tundrabooks Oct’26

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Y’all need to go preorder this upcoming release RIGHT NOW!!

I Don’t Care What Simon Says by Alessandra Requena, illustrated by Aki

My daughter and I have eagerly been awaiting Ale’s next book since The Boy Who Cried Poop and were SO excited when this book mail arrived!

First of all, it’s just a super fun and funny read aloud that is incredibly well illustrated. The absurdity of Fifi’s rise to power on the playground and her facial expressions in the illustrations had my daughter and I laughing out loud. (And she’s a tough picture book audience these days!)

But beyond that, it’s such a perfect look at how someone, in this case a tiny tyrant named Fifi enjoying new found power under the guise of Simon in a game of Simon Says, can rise to power when no one questions them or stops to think for themselves. Interestingly, even when things go sideways, somehow Fifi blames “a kid named Simon” and doesn’t face accountability for what happens - because, well, we don’t see many people in power being held accountable in the real world either.

This book is perfect for a laugh AND a meaningful discussion of unchecked power and the importance of thinking for yourself, especially when no one else seems to be. We all need to stop caring what Simon says…

Thank you so much to @readwithriver and the @bookstagang for sharing an early copy of this with us! It releases next Tuesday, October 20th, and is available for preorder now.

(BTW, Ale, as soon as we finished, my daughter asked when your next book is coming out!)

#diversifyourparenting #idontcarewhatsimonsays #bookstagang #funreadaloudbooks #simonsays

39

16

you’re looking for a book about:
power, powerlessness, and logic

ALERT 🚨 EVERYONE. WE HAVE A NEW BOOK FROM THE WONDERFUL MIND OF @readwithriver 🚨

I Don’t Care What Simon Says is funny, sweet, and slightly chaotic in the best way. When I tell you my five and eight year old ATE THIS UP. Fifi is a child with a vision. She takes a classic game of Simon Says a bit too far and ends up the ruler of a kingdom with thousands of puppies, all before recess ends. But when the bell rings, how does she explain the mess to her teacher?

Fifi is hilarious, determined, and just an absolute delight. and the illustrations!!!!! So much fun, and they will have you laughing and searching for hidden gems. Please check out this incredible new read-aloud and see how far Fifi goes to get what she wants.

72

4

78

4

Simon says jump. Simon says touch your toes. Fifi says: build me a fortress made of puppies and cakes. 👑🎂🐶

By the end of recess, Fifi has turned the playground into her very own grand empire, complete with a fortress of cakes, a sea of happy puppies, and a team of devoted followers. But when the bell rings, how is she going to explain all of this to her teacher... and the principal?

You'll love I Don't Care What Simon Says by Canadian author Alessandra Requena, with hilarious illustrations by Aki! 👑✨ Equal parts witty, empowering, and wildly fun, it hits our shelves on October 20th!

🔗 Pre-order your copy today at the link in our bio!

👀 P.S. Keep your eyes peeled, we have a super fun announcement coming your way very soon!

#kidsbook
#picturebook
#preorder
#canadianauthor
#foxglovebooks

31

3

A hilarious, cheeky exploration of playground politics and big ambition. Written by one of my faves @readwithriver

Fifi is a mastermind in a world that just doesn’t understand her genius. Sent outside for recess against her will, she stumbles upon an extraordinary discovery: dozens of kids jumping, spinning and bending over on command. It’s called Simon Says and to Fifi, it’s not a game. It’s an opportunity. Once Fifi takes the mic as “Simon,” there’s no turning back. By the end of 15 minutes, she has built a playground empire complete with a fortress, cakes, and puppies all courtesy of her willing “minions.” But when the bell rings, her mini-monarchy comes crashing down against school policy.

I Don’t Care What Simon Says is a sharp, laugh-out-loud funny tale about power, leadership, and the hilarity of kid logic. My kinda book 👏🏽 👸🏽 ✨

Pre-order this beaut in my stories! It’s perfect for your little leaders!

#funny #funnybooks #humor #humorous

230

71

Checking out Saver’s Junction Liquidation. Meh.
#italianfamily #toronto #nonna

553

59

Taking Nonna to visit her favourite store in the area @adamobrands because she needed a new frying pan, they grow artichokes outside the store! Who knew?

#nonna #torontolife

1k

82

🚨 Save the date! 📅 Join us Sunday, October 25th at 1pm for a storytime and launch of I DON’T CARE WHAT SIMON SAYS with author Alessandra Requena.

A girl new to the game of Simon Says takes it way too far and becomes the omnipotent ruler of a kingdom full of puppies and cakes in this hilarious picture book.

Pre-order the book now from our webstore (link in stories)

48

4

I don’t think anything can accurately describe the joyful adventure it is to follow your bestie @readwithriver to Asia and watch them get married to the love of their life.
The hospitality and kindness that was extended to us was only rivaled by the deliciousness of the food. Here’s just a smattering of the multi-day festivities that took place, featuring sweaty dance parties both indoors and outdoors.
Love you, pal. 😘 thanks for taking me to two weddings and your honeymoon

114

10

Still floating in the afterglow of our 1-Year Anniversary! ✨

Some chapters are just too good to leave behind on the shelf, we’ll be re-reading this memory for a very long time. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate 365 days of Foxglove Books with us, shared a toast, and helped make this night so unforgettable.
Here’s to many more pages together! 📚🥂🤍

#afterglow
#corememory
#supportindiebookstores
#firstanniversary
#foxglovebooks

35

7

✨ A night we’ll never forget. ✨
We are still floating after such an incredible evening! A massive, heartfelt thank you to our growing community for showing up and celebrating this amazing year with us. 📚❤️

A very special, huge thank you to Marissa Stapley for coming out and making the night so unforgettable! We are beyond grateful for your time, support, and presence in our shop. 💫

We also couldn't do this without the incredible authors and creators who joined us:

Rachel Stone
Sevelen & Shane Price
Arezou Amin
Alessandra Requena
Grant Ivens

Best of all: you can now find books by all of these amazing authors right here on our shelves in store! 🛒📚

Plus, a huge shoutout to Serene Illustrations for bringing so much magic to the evening. We are so excited to share that you’ll soon be able to find her artwork right here in the store, too, stay tuned for that! 🎨✨

And an extra-special shoutout to Alison. We truly wouldn't be here if you hadn't taken a chance on two women who simply love to read, love books, and deeply believe in the community that stories can create.

Thank you all for being part of our story. Here’s to many more chapters together! 🥂📖✨

#bookcommunity #thankyou #supportindiebookstore #canadianauthors #foxglovebooks

56

23

34

16