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Reviewed by Kristi Bernard for The National Writing for Children Center

Title: Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting
Written by: Jennifer Swanson
Illustrated by: Rosita Schandy & Neal Wooten
Ages: 6-12
Publisher: Mirror Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822560-1-5

If your children love pets then they will love Penny & Rio. These two dogs are very funny. This story gives kids a pets point of view as to what makes them bark and take a lot of naps.

This 5 chapter book is an enjoyable quick read. Penny is a very active dog. She likes to dig and play in the back yard. She often finds herself locked in the garage when she barks so much her owner wakes up. Rio, on the other hand is a nap taker. She would prefer to lounge around and have Penny keep her abreast on the yard activities.

The mysterious backyard meeting begins when Penny over hears a squirrel, owl and cat discussing a break in to the neighbors house. Penny is compelled to stop them but needs help from Rio. But that takes some convincing. They dig up the yard under a piece of broken fence to get to the neighbors house. Once inside Penny discovers that the cat has a baby brother that needs rescuing. Penny helps save the day. Mystery solved.

Author Jennifer Swanson was awarded the Childrens Choice award in 2008 and also the Royal Palm Literary Award. To learn more, visit www.cbcbooks.org. You can also visit Jennifer Swanson’s site at www.pennyandrio.com.

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Learn more about Kristi Bernard at Get Kids to Read.

Reviewed by Kristi Bernard for The National Writing for Children Center

Title: Quickly: The Magic Spatula
Written by: Jeryl Abelmann & Miriam Kronish
Illustrated by: Chason Matthams
Ages: all
Publisher: New Year Publishing LLC
ISBN: 978-0979988578

When families get together for Sunday meals fond memories are often made. Memories can be triggered by aromas that spark fun times from when we were children. These memories can stay with us forever.

Quickly: The Magic Spatula is a story of two children who rediscover a family treasure. All grown up now, these two siblings are cleaning out the attic of their mothers home. She has recently passed away. While in the attic they rummage through boxes and reminisce about the many times they spent their as children. In one of the boxes they find their mothers old pancake spatula. It is faded and bent. The handle that was once green, now has only a few specks of green. They remember Sunday morning breakfast with moms special pancakes. One day mom sets the spatula somewhere away from the griddle and ask her son to quickly bring it to her. He thought the name of the spatula was Quickly. From then on, Quickly was considered to be magical and would always make the pancakes taste very special.

This is a great family story that all kids and parents will love. Illustrator Chason Matthams brings the memories to life with colorful drawings and shadowing. In the back is a glossary and a recipe for pancakes.

About the Author: Jeryl Ablemann is a retired elementary school teacher and the recipient of Teacher of the Year for the San Ramon Vally Unified School District in California.

About the Author: Miriam Kronish teaches at Lesley University and Cambridge College in Massachusetts.

To learn more, please visit www.quicklythemagicspatula.com

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Learn more about Kristi Bernard at Get Kids to Read.