Zzzno Room for Francie (Opa) - Softcover

Maryann Macdonald grew up in a family of eight sisters and brothers. Having lived in close quarters with so many kids probably helps me understand children better, she says. As a child, Macdonald enjoyed reading Mary Poppins and The Secret Garden, along with other classics. Years later, Macdonald's pleasure of sharing books with her daughter inspired her to write her own stories. She has now written more than 20 books for children, including picture books, chapter books, easy readers, and a biography.

Grade 2-3?Libraries with a constant demand for beginning chapter books will be interested in these offerings. Each one has a prominently displayed designated reading level in the upper left-hand corner of the cover as well as detailed information describing its age appropriateness. Three of the titles involve family dynamics while the fourth, The Banana Split from Outer Space, is a wacky adventure at a pig-operated roadside ice-cream stand. The events in the other three books will be familiar to most children?the loss of a first tooth, disagreements with siblings or best friends, the need for eyeglasses, and learning to hit a baseball are a few of the plot lines. The large print and black-and-white illustrations add to the appeal. Children who are comfortable with the "First Stepping Stones" series (Random) will enjoy these titles, too.?Maura Bresnahan, Topsfield Town Library, MA
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