The Horn Book Guide

EASY READERS

Michalak, Jamie

Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels

48 pp. | Candlewick | March, 2009 | Trade ISBN 978-0-7636-3387-5 $15.99

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz. After winning a car, Joe Giraffe, who likes to "stretch my neck and see the world," takes cautious Sparky Turtle for a wild ride through town. The story features lots of jokes and snappy dialogue, but the chaotic plot may be too much for early readers to follow. Humorous watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations give personality to the odd-couple pals.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang