It's Easter, Chloe Zoe!

February 8, 2016
In this follow-up to It’s Valentine’s Day, Chloe Zoe!, the eponymous yellow elephant discusses her Easter preparations and looks forward to the town’s Easter egg hunt, hoping to find the golden egg that the Easter Bunny hides each year. At the park, Zoe joins in the hunt with friends George, a giraffe, and Mary Margaret, a crocodile, but when Mary Margaret finds the golden egg, Chloe Zoe has to learn to be happy for her friend. Smith’s flattened collage-style illustrations give the story a cheery sticker book aesthetic, while Chloe Zoe’s direct narration is attuned to beginning readers. Though Chloe Zoe’s emotional turnaround comes a bit easily, Smith offers a sensitive message about rolling with the punches. Ages 4–8. Agent: Nicole Tugeau, Tugeau2.

February 1, 2016
An anthropomorphic elephant girl named Chloe Zoe attends an Easter egg hunt with her two best friends and learns a lesson about sharing. Chloe Zoe narrates her springtime story in present tense, detailing her family's preparations for a secular holiday celebration. At the annual Easter egg hunt in their neighborhood park, the Easter Bunny hides lots of eggs and candy, along with "one special, sparkling golden egg with a surprise inside." Excitement ensues when Chloe Zoe joins her friends George the giraffe and Mary Margaret the crocodile at the egg hunt along with their families. Mary Margaret likes only pink-colored eggs, so George and Chloe Zoe spend their time searching for pink eggs for their friend. When Mary Margaret finds the golden egg, Chloe Zoe is initially upset, but her friend shares the prize of gold coins found in the egg, announcing, "Three coins for three best friends!" Cheery illustrations use a cartoon style with the suggestion of collage in the brightly hued clothing textures. The buoyant art features a cast of winsome animal characters dressed in human-style clothing and lots of patterns, flowers, and motion. The plot is simple enough for young preschoolers to follow, and the compact, square trim size adds to an overall cozy feeling. Additional stories in the Chloe Zoe series will explore other holidays and common experiences such as starting school. A pleasant but not groundbreaking effort, with a cute, yellow elephant leading the charge. (Picture book. 3-6)

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