Fairy Mom and Me
Sophie Kinsella, illus. by Marta Kissi. Delacorte, $14.99 (160p)
ISBN 978-1-5247-6989-5
A girl (and future fairy) named Ella Brook narrates
Kinsella’s amusingly chaotic chapter book, which highlights a
few of the magical spells that cause trouble for Ella’s family;
her mother can transform into a fairy
but is “not very good at magic.”
Using the latest in fairy technology
(aka a digital Computawand), Ella’s
mother summons a cow in an attempt
to replace spilled milk, turns
cleaning supplies sentient in a
sequence with echoes of The Sorcerer’s
Apprentice, and gives herself green
skin and giant muscles while trying
to cure a case of the flu, among other
disasters. Messages about the virtues of patience and not
taking shortcuts are handled with a light touch—most readers
will be content to laugh over the fairy magic hijinks. Final art
not seen by PW. Ages 7–10. Author’s agent: Kimberly
Witherspoon, Inkwell Management. Illustrator’s agency: Bright
Group. (Jan.)
Toy Academy: Some Assembly Required
Brian Lynch, illus. by Edwardian Taylor. Scholastic Press, $12.99
(192p) ISBN 978-1-338-14845-9
Children’s book newcomer Lynch, whose screenwriting
credits include Minions and The Secret Life of Pets, debuts with
the joke-dense story of Grumbolt, a malformed stuffed animal
who heads to the eponymous academy to learn how to play.
Joining him are OmniBus Squared, an arthritic Transformers-esque school bus robot, and Micro Gigantic, an enthusiastic
action figure sealed in a plastic wrapper to maximize her value
as a collectible. Taylor’s 1980s-retro images (not all seen by
PW) are ideal for a story that lovingly pokes fun at that era’s
toys (“Any child who got a Castle Fort Lair for their birthday
didn’t ask for any other gifts for the next three holidays”), and
Grumbolt and crew’s clashes with the forces of the Evil Toy
Academy will have readers looking forward to future books.
Ages 7–10. Author’s agent: Erin Malone, William Morris
Endeavor. Illustrator’s agency: Bright Group. (Jan.)
Two’s a Crowd
Flora Ahn. Scholastic Press, $9.99 (128p) ISBN 978-1-338-11845-2
A pug named Sunny has to get used to an exuberant new
sister, a pug named Rosy, in debut author-illustrator Ahn’s
first book in the Pug Pals series. Well-meaning Rosy is full of
questions and energy, plays havoc with Sunny’s steady routine
(which includes morning yoga), chews on her favorite
“stuffies,” and generally pesters Sunny at every opportunity.
Ahn’s clean, bold b&w cartoons (not all seen by PW) revel in
Sunny’s growing anger—until an incident involving Sunny’s
beloved “Mr. Bunny” brings the two pugs together. The
second half of the book dives into action-adventure territory
as the pugs don ninja costumes and try to track down Mr.
Bunny in the outside world. It’s a breezy and entertaining
story of sibling rivalry turned revelry. Ages 7–10. Agent:
Melissa Edwards, Stonesong. (Jan.)
Oh Susannah: Things That Go Bump
Carole P. Roman, illus. by Mateya Arkova. Chelshire, $8.99 paper
(64p) ISBN 978-1-947188-13-6
This second book in Roman’s Oh Susannah series, after It’s
in the Bag, finds almost-eight-year-old Susannah Maya Logan
nervous to accept an invitation to a friend’s sleepover: she
believes Lola’s house is haunted. During 10 short chapters
that gradually build toward the sleepover itself, Susannah
struggles with her many anxieties and fears while also
noticing them in others. Susannah’s literal interpretations
of teachers’ comments cause her some confusion (she can’t
understand what her teacher is scared of when the woman
announces, “I’m afraid I’ve caught a cold”), but she rethinks
her own fear of the dark with some help from a blind girl
named Macy during a charity event. It’s a quiet, slow-paced
story but one that should give nervous readers new perspective
on their insecurities. Ages 7–10. (BookLife)
Two to Tango: A Natalie Story
Kelsey Abrams, illus. by Jomike Tejido. Jolly Fish, $7.99 trade paper
(120p) ISBN 978-1-63163-153-5
In one of four titles launching the Second Chance Ranch
series, Abrams (a pseudonym for writer Whitney Sanderson)
introduces 12-year-old Natalie
Ramirez, who quickly falls for Tango,
a handsome gelding that has recently
arrived at her family’s ranch/animal
rescue. The eldest of four sisters, confi-
dent Natalie tries to train Tango to
barrel race while also negotiating a
tentative friendship with new student
Darcy Chang, who happens to be
allergic to animals. (The other books
focus on Natalie’s siblings.) The relat-
able and tricky friendship struggles, the benevolent mission
of the ranch, and Natalie’s strong moral compass combine to
create an upbeat, feel-good story about persistence, embracing
change, and righting wrongs. Final art not seen by PW.
Simultaneously available: It’s Not Destiny, Taking Chances, and
Wild Midnight. Ages 8–14. (Jan.)
