GOOD FRIENDS MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS

Won't you be my neighbor friend? At first Bunny and Dog keep to themselves on opposite sides of the same fence, observing but never interacting with each other. But over the course of this sweet picture book, these neighbors who see one another every day but never speak eventually grow to be good friends. Bunny lives in a blue house with a cozy reading nook (and lots and lots of cocoa), but a sign on the mailbox says BUNNY HOUSE PRIVATE. Meanwhile, Dog lives in a red house with a comfy spot for eating biscuits and reading, but a sign on the mailbox says DOG HERE DO NOT DISTURB. They study each other through their mutual white picket fence, but neither one says hello, or hi, or nice to see you today. But one night--the night they both look up to see a wondrous shooting star--something changes, and the two come together to share their snacks and some good company.   

On the Night of the Shooting Star, written by Amy Hest and illustrated by Jenni Desmond, is a delightfully heartfelt tale of looking beyond our literal and metaphorical fences to find friendship and community in a sometimes lonely world--and is a wonderful match for preschool through second graders. 

A CAT BY ANY OTHER NAME

The neighborhood cat featured in this captivating picture book leads a very busy life. He saunters from house to house on Blossom Street, answering to many different names and helping the people he meets carry out a number of miscellaneous activities: eating fresh fish at number three, bird watching at number one, still-life modeling at number eighteen, gardening at number fourteen, and swing dancing at number six, to name but a few. There's only one house that doesn't normally get a visit from the street's resident feline celebrity: number eleven, where life is much quieter. One day, when the cat strays from his much-anticipated regular rounds, the cast of diverse neighborhood characters come out in full force looking for their beloved (and, unbeknownst to them, communal) pet. Where has he gone and who does he actually belong to? 

Archie Snufflekins Oliver Valentine Cupcake Tiberius Cat, written and illustrated by Katie Harnett, is simply a delight. Preschoolers through second graders, as well as assorted cat ladies and gentlemen of all ages (and maybe even some dog people too!), will take pleasure in this charming offering, whether shared in a group setting or one on one. Perhaps, as this reviewer suspects, this sweet tale of friendship and community could even win over Grumpy Cat herself.

GOODNIGHT ALREADY!

Bear is exhausted and he's ready to cuddle up in his cozy bed and hug his stuffed bunny until he falls into a peaceful slumber. (Bear is so adorable I just want to tuck him into bed myself!)  Duck, Bear's neighbor, on the other hand, is wide awake and wants to STAY awake.  He thinks up a number of activities that they can do together.  Bear kindly refuses, but, as he grows more tired, his impatience grows.  Eventually he chooses words that get Duck to listen.  Will Bear now enjoy a long slumber or will he actually try out some of Duck's ideas?  

Along with Jory John's humorous dialog, Benji Davies' illustrations adds the right touch to this bedtime story. From the start, readers will just want to tuck Bear into bed.  For adults and children, Pre-K to 2nd, to enjoy together.

GOOD CHANGES

Ben the Inventor isn't really about inventing as such, but about Ben and his best friend, Jack, and the end of their friendship.  Jack's mother just got a new job and the family will have to sell their house and move to Vancouver, a nearby city.  This is a very sweet beginning chapter book about how the two boys come up with all kinds of plans to make the house unsaleable and thereby remain neighbors and friends forever.  

Ben the Inventor by Robin Stevenson is a good introduction into the world of  beginning chapter books and for those looking for a solid boy book.  For readers in 2nd-4th.

DOG WALKER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Since Maggie's twin brother is allergic to dogs, it seemed like a perfect plan when her parents suggested she help out her landlord by walking her dog after she hurt her ankle. One thing led to another and instead of walking just one dog for fun she now walks three dogs and has her own bustling small business and all the troubles that come with a business; jealous competition, more business than she could handle, and mysterious dog disappearances. On top of all this, she must keep it a secret from her parents, help out her ex-best friend and keep her blooming crush on "Milo" under wraps.

Girl's Best Friend: A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery by Leslie Margolis is a fabulous new mystery series for girls who are seriously into dogs. For readers in 5th-8th grade.

A FOODIE MYSTERY

Who Stole Grandma's Million Dollar Pumpkin Pie? by Martha Freeman. A fourth Chickadee Court Mystery set during Thanksgiving, when all thoughts turn to pumpkin pie and other comforting family dishes. Yasmeen and Alex have to find out who stole his family's fantastic pumpkin pie recipe that's going to be featured on a television food show. But the two detectives are reluctant to investigate when they realize that all the suspects are either family members or friends who came to dinner at Alex's home. Everyone wanted their dish to be on T.V. , so everyone has a motive.

Be sure to read the others in the holiday series, like Who Stole Uncle Sam? especially with the July 4th holiday coming up. For readers in 4th grade and up.

BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

Tal is a teenage Israeli girl searching for reasons. She sends out a message in a bottle, only to hear from a young, angry Palestinian boy. The two exchange sporadic emails, seemingly prompted mostly by Tal, sharing their worlds and the frustration, sadness, and want for change between both sides of the border separating them. A BOTTLE IN THE GAZA SEA by Valerie Zenatti, shows both sides of a never-ending war between two cultures over the right to live in a place that defines both their histories. Told from both characters perspectives, the story is emotional, vivid, and pertinent for any readers 6th grade and up.

BE A HOT FUDGE HERO!

In this beginning chapter book, the main character is very determined. HOT FUDGE HERO by Pat Brisson, Bertie learns many life lessons from experiences he has in every day life. The book is divided into three stories. The first story, “Bertie and Mr. Muckleberg,” transforms a mean old neighbor and his mean old pets into new friends. In “Sax Magic,” Bertie’s fairy godfather Stan gives him a magic hat that helps Bertie play the saxophone like a pro as long as he keeps practicing. It turns out to be a lucky day for Bertie in “Turkey Day.” Even though Bertie doesn’t get to bowl with his favorite bowling ball, he still gets a strike. For 2nd-4th grades.