UP AND DOWN WITH KATE

Winsome Kate, Chorao’s (Here Comes Kate, not reviewed, etc.) mischievous elephant, returns in an endearing collection of stories. Four short tales describe incidents commonplace in the daily life of a youngster, elephant or otherwise. In “Pot,” Kate faces the repercussions of ignoring her mother’s dictums, while “Beach” describes her fledgling attempts at swimming. Both “Artist” and “Necklace” focus on the special bond between Kate and her grandmother, with “Necklace” sensitively addressing separation issues. Kate’s family circle is knit together with loving care; even the presence of Kate’s other brother George and his gentle teasing rings true for young readers. The appealing, delicately rendered illustrations range from full-sized framed paintings to smaller inserts. Chorao artfully captures Kate’s ever-changing emotions as she moves from one situation to another: poignant scenes illuminating the fond affection between grandmother and child fit alongside perfectly executed drawings of a tot in the throes of rampant inquisitiveness. The brevity of the sections combined with the simple sentence constructions makes this manageable for novice readers. However, Chorao infuses the tale with a wealth of charm, making it an enjoyable read-aloud for the younger set. A beguiling continuation of Kate’s adventures that will leave readers eagerly anticipating her next set of antics. (Easy reader. 3-7)