Arthur and the Crunch Cereal Contest

Gr 2-3-Arthur's picture-book fans who are ready for an increased reading challenge will embrace these books, and those who enjoy the PBS TV show will no doubt recognize the same quality in the book version. The young aardvark needs to come up with a winning jingle for The Crunch Cereal Contest, but his attempts fall short until he is inspired by a little ditty he overhears D. W. hum. He sends in his entry, only to struggle with feelings of not being altogether honest. In the end, he proves he is a winner in both ability and integrity. In Arthur Makes the Team, Arthur has difficulty learning all of the nuances of baseball. His main problem is the ball-it simply will not cooperate with his mitt. Francine's constant criticism is a big obstacle, too, but they manage to overcome their conflict by realizing that team members need to help one another on and off the field. The story lines are simple and the plots move along at a smooth, entertaining pace. The subtle humor is right on target for the intended audience. The characters are fully developed and interact well together. The black-and-white illustrations provide a nice break for readers moving into chapter books.-Pam Hopper Webb, Sandpoint Community Christian School, ID