My Robot (Green Light Readers: Level 2)

In the first title, a versatile birthday gift plays games, performs tricks, bakes, and cleans. But with each activity, the child narrator indicates that this -is not the best thing my robot can do. - That refrain will have readers turning the pages of simple text just to discover the robot -s most valued trait -friendship. A picnic story that is perfect fare for first-grade readers, "Pond" is about two friends whose outing is delayed when one doesn -t feel well. Fortunately, Tess Tiger -s umbrella and fan help Herbert Hippo cool off. She volunteers to go back for the picnic basket that he has forgotten. Returning with lunch in hand, she has a momentary fright when Herbert appears to be missing. But he -s merely taking a dip and emerges from the water with an endearing big-toothed grin. Both titles have sufficient white space, illustrations that are pleasingly playful, and a craft activity. Nice additions for the easy-reader shelves." -Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.