Eva's Treetop Festival

October 27, 2014
A self-possessed owl named Eva Wingdale has personality to spare in this diary-style first book in a series that joins the Branches line of early chapter books. With her love of “making stuff” and her sky-high ambitions, Eva has the makings of a lifestyle mogul (and with her jaunty beret, sneakers, and body assembled of brightly patterned shapes, she looks the part, too). But for now, Eva’s concerns are more immediate: spearheading the first-ever Treetop Elementary Bloomtastic Festival, which she conceived of herself. Asking for help isn’t Eva’s forte, but eventually she learns the importance of delegation—a key lesson for any future CEO. Appealing visuals (the text and art are set against the lined pages of Eva’s diary), punny dialogue, a few pratfalls, and Eva’s unflagging enthusiasm make for lively reading. Ages 5–7. Agency: Bright Agency.

December 1, 2014

Gr 1-3-Eva Wingdale enjoys drawing, going to school, and being busy. She dislikes her brother Humphrey's stinky socks, boredom, and her mom's slug sandwiches. On the first day of spring, the owlet offers to organize the first ever Treetop Owlementary Bloomtastic Festival, featuring a bake-off and talent, fashion, and art shows. With the event only seven days away, Eva's not sure she can get everything done in time. Instead of canceling, though, she enlists help from her classmates and manages to pull off a successful festival. Written in diary format with speech bubbles, the 10 chapters have lively, brightly colored illustrations, often several per page. This early chapter book is a nice step between first readers and series such as Barbara Parks's "Junie B. Jones" and Mary Pope Osborne's "Magic Tree House" (both Random).-Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH

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