Zilbo's Forest
(I Can Read Comics Level 2)

K-Gr 2-This new entry in "I Can Read Comics" cleverly tells the story of a frown being passed from friend to friend. Bogo the bear sees his friend Zilbo the dog and gives a friendly greeting, but Zilbo does not say hello in return. Observant readers will note the dog's grumpy face and the fact that he is missing a shoe on one foot. Bogo, however, is upset that his friend did not return his greeting, leading him to go and do the same thing to Hula the horse when she says hello. This cycle repeats, with Hula ignoring Tango the turtle and Tango doing the same to Mara the mouse. This time, Mara decides to get curious and ask her friend what is wrong, leading to a laugh-out-loud conclusion. Like all the best transitional books, this one hits the sweet spot with humor and good storytelling while still sticking to a deliberately limited vocabulary. The text is just right for a newly independent reader, and the story is a great conversation starter for social-emotional learning and problem solving. The colorful and slightly zany illustrations hold a lot of appeal. VERDICT A standout among early readers. Every library should have a copy of this one on the shelves.

Copyright 2025 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission. 

With a lively cast, colorful cartooning, and a lucidly laid out storyline, this deceptively simple book simultaneously encourages new readers with clear text, provides amusement, and has a deep emotional resonance: a rare feat. Sweet, eye-catching, and witty: a gift to young readers.