PEARL AND WAGNER

Pearl the rabbit and Wagner the mouse are best friends in this funny school-themed easy reader that focuses on science fair projects. Three short, related chapters written at the second-grade reading level show Pearl and Wagner creating a robot from boxes, entering their robot in the science fair, and using the robot as a way to make up after a disagreement threatens their friendship. McMullan, a former teacher, skillfully integrates key aspects of classroom friendships into her story with understated humor and some funny situations and dialogue. Alley’s delightfully detailed illustrations use watercolor with pen and ink to bring the classroom of assorted animals to life, especially through the appealing facial expressions. He adds tiny details to the backgrounds that young readers will enjoy (such as escaping insects from a science project) as well as accurate illustrations of the projects. Teachers in the lower elementary grades might use this as a read-aloud before science-fair season, and Pearl and Wagner seem destined to explore other curriculum areas in future volumes as their friendship continues. (Easy reader. 5-8)