Willa Bean's Cloud Dreams

October 17, 2011
The Little Wings series opens with this humorous adventure that introduces a strong-willed fledgling cupid whose mop of messy hair, “million-bajillion” freckles, and purple wings set her apart from her peers. Willa Bean’s unorthodox features don’t bother her a whit (a welcome nod toward embracing difference), but something else does: she’s starting class at Cupid Academy but hasn’t learned how to fly. That Willa Bean will surmount this problem isn’t in doubt, but Galante (The Summer of May) has fun getting there—it’s pretty easy to love a heroine who uses her unruly locks to store her snacks, as well as various treasures she finds in the clouds. The cupids’ cutesy talk (“Nope, nope-ity, nope, nope, nope!”) has a cartoony chirpiness that may test adults’ patience, but Galante’s sense of humor often hits the mark (after being called out for shouting when she has her climactic epiphany, “Willa Bean lowered her voice to a whisper-scream”). Burgeoning solo readers should find it easy to identify with iconoclastic Willa Bean’s foibles, exuberance, and school-day woes. Finished art not seen by PW. Ages 6–9.

December 15, 2011
Grades 2-4 Willa Bean, a young cupid, lives in a pink, fluffy world made up of polka-dot clouds connected by feather bridges. She sure stands out, with silky white wings and wild hair that grows sideways instead of straight down. But Willa Bean stands out in another way, too: she can't fly, and her first day of Cupid Academy is tomorrow. What if she is the only cloud-bound cupid? Spirited and quirky, Willa Bean resembles Beverly Cleary's Ramonaand, like Ramona, Willa Bean's transition to school life does not go smoothly. But with the support of her family, her best friend, and her pet owl, Willa Bean begins to adjust, and it's not long before she is following the Cupid Rule, which requires kindness toward others. It's also not long before she is flying. Aimed at readers transitioning to chapter books, this title features simple text and plenty of black-and-white illustrations. Willa Bean, making her debut in the Little Wings series, is sure to appeal to fans of Daisy Meadows' Rainbow Magic books.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)