Fergus and Zeke by Kate Messner illustrated by Heather Ross

My hunt for terrific stories aimed at newly independent readers continues and this week I found another perfect one. Fergus and Zeke is from the Sparks series (Candlewick) and all of their titles are wonderful. I was excited to discover our own Bob Graham even has a book in this series - Tales from the Waterhole.  Look at my reviews of Rabbit and Robot, Annie and Simon, Pigsticks and Harold, Houndsley and Catina and Joe and Sparky.

Fergus is like John (in John the Mouse who learned to read from 1969 illustrated by Noela Young) and Humphrey the hamster we meet in the terrific series by Betty Birney. Fergus is the class pet. He thoroughly enjoys joining in with the class.

"When Miss Maxwell said, 'Sit quietly for storytime,' Fergus sat still and listened. ... When the students solved math problems, Fergus solved them too. He always kept his eyes on his own work."

When Fergus hears to class are off to the museum where they will see dinosaurs, the butterfly garden and shooting stars in the planetarium, Fergus absolutely expects to go along too. Sadly the teacher does not know this and it seems Fergus will be left behind. This is too much for Fergus so he slips out of his cage and into Emma's backpack. His adventure has begun and what a splendid adventure it will be. Who is Zeke I hear you ask. Fergus meets another mouse living in the museum and their combined antics serve to spice up the fun.

Here is the Kirkus review. Kate Messner has such a huge variety of books from wonderful non fiction to longer chapter books and even professional reading for teachers. She talks here about the inspiration for this story.  The sequel will be published later this year.

Rabbit and Robot the sleepover by Cece Bell

This is one of those special little books - very simple to read - but also very satisfying.  Rabbit and Robot The sleepover should go on your list of books to share with a young child who is just beginning to master reading. If you love Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel you will certainly want to meet these new friends.  They are an odd couple but tonight everyone (the reader and characters) will discover the value of a true friend.

Rabbit and Robot are very different.  Rabbit likes pizza, playing Go Fish and watching television. Robot likes nuts and bolts on his pizza and prefers to play Old Maid.

Rabbit has made a list for the sleepover.  His list is very prescriptive but Rabbit will need to learn some tough lessons about compromise.  In four little episodes the two friends DO find a way to enjoy their first sleepover but the way the evening pans out may surprise you just as it surprises Rabbit.

This book was a worthy honor book in the Theodor Seuss Geisel awards. You can read a little more about this book here. Or you might like to click the quotes below.

There’s a lot of humor and heart in these four stories.

Go into most libraries and you’ll find that easy books and early chapter books are some of the most popular in the system. All the more reason to let something like Rabbit & Robot into your life. It’s new and fresh and thoroughly enjoyable, whether you’re reading it to a kid or they’re parsing it on their own. There’s a new odd couple in town and hopefully they’ll return to us again soon.

Pigsticks and Harold and the incredible journey by Alex Milway

There are not many books that I can say with absolute certainty "this book is a winner" but Pigsticks and Harold and the incredible journey truly is a WINNER!  The opening sentence sets the tone and quickly establishes the humour.

"Pigsticks was the last in a noble line of pigs.  His ancestors had done great things, but Pigsticks hadn't done anything yet.  As he sat in his study, reading about his fore pigs, Pigsticks made a momentous decision."

Pigsticks decides to travel to the ends of the earth but he will need an assistant - to carry his gear, cook the food and generally cope with all manner of hazards that are sure to arise on this adventure.  None of the local candidates seem suitable and then unexpectedly Harold, a young Hamster, arrives at Pigstick's door.  Harold has no interest in travel but the offer of cake (three cakes including a Battenberg) is very tempting.  And so this intrepid pair set off to the ends of the earth.  I have put an image of this cake below (BBC Food) because if you have dipped into my blog you will know, just like Harold, I also love cake.

Here is a very funny little video where you will see Pigsticks and Harold themselves promoting their book.

If you enjoy Pigsticks and Harold and the incredible journey you should also look for The Trip to Panama by Janosh and The Clumsies by Sorrel Anderson.  Here is a web site from the author which begins with his visit to Tales on Moon Lane.  I visited this special children's bookshop in London recently so I was excited to see Alex Milway had prepared a special window display.  If I have not yet convinced you to read this warm-hearted little story please take a minute and read this review in The School Library Journal.  This book would make a great read-a-loud for a younger class.  I wonder if Alex Milway has plans for more books in this series.

Joe and Sparky, Superstars! by Jamie Michalak illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

Here is another joyous beginner book - Joe and Sparky, Superstars!  Joe Giraffe is a man with ideas.  Sparky, the tortoise, is somewhat reluctant to try new things but he is a loyal friend.

The friends, who live in cageless zoo, see a show on television about Talented Pairs and immediately Joe can see fame and glory.  The problem comes when they try to discover Sparky's talent.  Nothing seems right :

"I am done!' said Sparky.  'I cannot dance or tell a joke.  I cannot run, slide, or stand on one foot.  I cannot be Sparky the Star.  Just for you Joe, I have tried.  But we will never be a talented pair."

Of course this is not quite true and at the end of the day Joe and Sparky make a surprising and wonderful discovery.  This is, however, not the end.  The last page is perfect.  Joe sees a poster advertising positions for movie extras and it is clear the whole process will begin again.

Here is the web site for the author.  There are three books in this series. We definitely need to add all of them to our library collection.  You can read an excellent review here.

This book reminds me of the Minton series by Anna Fienberg so if you are a Minton fan you should look for Joe and Sparky.

Annie and Simon by Catharine O'Neill

If you have read my blog lately you might have seen the inclusion of some terrific easy books perfect for very young children who are just developing confidence with reading.  Here is another one.  Annie and Simon is a colourful little book with four chapters which explore the special relationship between Annie and her ever patient brother Simon.  The School Library Journal reviewer said :

"Anne's frenetic pace is right on for a young child, but the something special here is Simon."

Chapter One is The Hairdo.  Little Annie has decided to be a hairdresser when she grows up but for now she needs to practice.  There is only so much she can do with Hazel, her short haired dog, so she asks Simon to volunteer.  Annie creates a spectacular hairstyle for Simon and then she experiments with her own hair.  Predictably this has disastrous results but luckily Simon is able to come to her rescue.

My favourite is chapter three where Annie is desperate for rain so she can try out her new large polka dot umbrella.  While playing in the garden she is bitten by a bee.  Once again the patient Simon saves the day and even though there are no clouds in the sky Annie's wish for rain comes true.

The other joy in this book is the mention of a loon.  When I lived in Canada I was desperate to see a loon - they look and sound so spectacular.

I now discover there is a second book about these special siblings so I will be adding that to my shopping list tonight.  This book comes from the Sparks series.  We already most of these including the very special Houndsley and Catina.

Houndsley and Catina and the quiet time by James Howe illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay

Houndsley and Catina is like a lyrical poem disguised in a simple junior novel. Houndsley loves the silences and the white that the snow affords and he looks for ways to make this quiet day even more special, especially once he suggests their house is like an island. Catina, on the other hand, at first only sees disaster but as the day unfolds with music practice, poetry writing, board games, cooking and stories she settles down.

Their neighbour Bert has also been practicing his music too but this mostly seems to involve lots of crashes and bashes. Like me I hope you hold your breath when Bert plays the final note at their evening concert. “It was the closest the cymbals can come to silence. It sounded like a chime in the wind. It lingered and floated and fell into the quite time.”
All three friends travel home together and Houndsley invites Catina and Bert to stay the night. Luckily the cookies they had made for supper were left at home. “Eating cookies was a perfect way to share a quiet time together.”
Look for other books about Houndsley and Catina in our library. I give these gems ten out of ten every time.

Click on this link to see another book illustrated by Marie Louise Gay - you can see her lovely illustrations. We have this book in our library too!