Published by Candlewick

Summary:  Dazzle the unicorn is purchased by a woman who’s expecting her first grandchild, but when she finds out the baby is a boy, she winds up selling Dazzle at a yard sale.  He’s purchased by Annie the librarian, who runs a program called Book Buddies, where kids can check stuffed animals out of the library for two weeks.  Although Dazzle’s greatest wish is to be part of a family, he finds that he enjoys visiting kids for short periods and hanging out with his library family in between.  When new girl Maya brings him home, he learns some important lessons about friendship and comes to have a greater appreciation for his new life, realizing that maybe his wish has come true in an unexpected fashion.  66 pages; grades 1-4.

Pros:  Although I am virtually positive that I read the first book in this series last year, it somehow didn’t make it onto my blog, so here’s my review of book #3.  It’s a cute illustrated early chapter book series with loveable stuffed animals who get to interact with a variety of kids and is sure to appeal to early elementary readers.

Cons:  The early days of Dazzle’s life were kind of heartbreaking.

Published by Scholastic

Summary:  Ember is a chihuahua who believes he is in training to become a Dark Lord and one day rule the world.  One night a strange orange cat shows up with an assignment:  if he looks after her kittens for a week, teaching them everything he knows, she will give him an army.  Assisted by the other pets in the house and the neighborhood, Ember begins training the kittens, who turn out to have some ideas of their own.  In between those adventures, Ember is trying to figure out the perfect birthday gift for his girl, Lucy.  By the end of the week, the pets have defeated Ogre, the evil cat next door, figured out what to do for Lucy, and assembled an army…of kittens.  The final page introduces a nemesis for Ember, a pet is sure to be the centerpiece of book #4.  96 pages; grades 1-4.

Pros:  You can generally count on Scholastic Branches to produce good early chapter books, and this series is no exception.  Lots of cute animals, plenty of illustrations, and a fast-moving plot with twists at the end of every chapter make this a series that those just getting into chapter books will want to get their hands on. I missed book 1 last year, which is why I’m reviewing 2023’s book 3.

Cons:  Ember was too kind and friendly to be believable as an aspiring Dark Overlord.

Published by Chronicle Books

Summary:  Henry, featured in the 2019 picture book A Friend for Henry, likes the routine and predictability of his classroom.  Mrs. Tanaka has a weekly schedule posted, and Henry feels comfortable when it stays the same.  When she announces a parade on Friday, pushing sharing to Thursday, Henry struggles to cope with the change.  His feelings of dread grow through the week as the class prepares for the parade.  By Friday morning, he needs to give Mrs. Tanaka his Quiet Card, which entitles him to some time alone in the big closet.  There he discovers the hat that his classmate Samuel is going to wear to lead the parade.  Samuel would rather play the tambourine that Henry has been assigned, and Henry likes the soft pressure of the hat that covers his ears and protects him from some of the noise.  A trade is made, and both boys are able to happily participate in the parade.  48 pages; grades 1-3.

Pros:  An excellent early chapter book that sympathetically portrays a character who appears to be on the autism spectrum and provides a realistic glimpse into his classroom.  Mrs. Tanaka is a kind teacher who accommodates Henry but also expects him to be part of the classroom community.  This is billed as book 1, so we can look forward to more books about Henry.

Cons:  Henry’s new hat looks like it completely covers his eyes.

Published by Scholastic

Summary:  After Priya posts pictures of the party she organized for her little brother, Layla Aunty asks her to take charge of her upcoming birthday party.  She offers to pay Priya, but Priya asks for a donation to help quokkas instead (you’ll learn more about this endangered Australian animal if you read the book).  Priya gets to work, starting a party journal to help her stay organized.  Layla Aunty’s favorite color is orange, so that becomes the party’s theme.  Priya enlists the help of her best friend and Layla Aunty’s friends (including Prya’s mom) to make decorations, food, invitations, and a special present.  It’s a busy time, but everything goes off without a hitch, and Layla Aunty declares it her favorite birthday, making a generous donation to the quokkas.  After pictures are posted, Layla gets her second job, which is undoubtedly the subject of book 2, Starry Henna Night, due out in May.  80 pages; grades 1-3.  

Pros:  This is a typical Scholastic Branches series (and you know I mean that as a compliment) with a strong female entrepreneur as the main character and an appealing diary format filled with colored illustrations and cartoon bubbles.

Cons:  I kept waiting for something to go wrong–you know, conflict–but everything went perfectly, making this feel a bit more like a party-planning manual than a novel.