Read, Write, Repeat.

In a traditional quinceañera, everyone’s focus is on the girl turning 15 years old. She wears a fancy dress, gets gifts and has a party in her honor. 

And as Lolo, the main character in Caren McNelly McCormack’s debut picture book, The Fiesta Dress, finds out, it’s not much fun being the little sister.

First off, everyone is too busy fussing and planning to play with her. Her sister is primping, her aunties are cooking, her uncles are hanging lights and her cousins are playing video games. Even her dog rushes right by her when she opens the laundry room door. And when her dog runs off with Lolo’s big sister’s sash, Lolo has to save the day.

Helen, today’s guest reviewer, knows all about being the youngest. She has two older brothers, but she knows how to get their attention.

“I just say, ‘Hey, guys! I’m trying to talk to you!” she says.

Here’s what Helen had to say about this Marshall Cavendish book.

Today’s reviewer: Helen.

Age: 7

Things I like to do: Play with my friends, Izzy and Sofia. Play with my scooter at home.

This book was about: A girl who had a fiesta party. People were so busy, they didn’t see that she was doing almost the same thing as they were. She felt lonely. Her dog was in the laundry room to get it out of the way, but she opened the door and it got out and it took her sister’s white sash and it got ripped. She got in trouble and gulped a big gulp. She had to figure out how to fix things.

The best part was when: Everyone started playing with her at the end.

I laughed when: She poofed her face with powder like her sister.

I was worried when: I thought she would get in trouble for letting her dog out of the laundry room.

I was surprised when: She got to be with everyone and not just alone.

This book taught me: To tell the truth instead of not telling people anything.

Three words that best describe this book: “Fiesta.” “Quinceañera.” ”Dresses.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “They never see me slipping one into my pocket …”

You should read this book because: There are some pretty dresses.

Thanks, Helen!

The warm, family story is perfectly complemented by Martha Aviles’ illustrations. Lolo is adorable, the quinceañera dresses are beautiful and there’s a handy glossary in the back that explains what a quinceañera is and defines some Spanish words.

You can learn more abut author Caren McNelly McCormack by visiting her website.

You can learn more about illustrator Martha Aviles by visiting this website.

Each year, thousands of school children learn the lifecycle of a butterfly. An egg hatches a caterpillar, which – after eating a lot – turns into a chrysalis and then becomes a butterfly!

Houdini, from Janet Pedersen’s Houdini the Amazing Caterpillar (Clarion, 2008), is just one caterpillar in one classroom. But, he doesn’t consider himself a teaching tool. He thinks he’s an entertainer. After all, when Houdini was just an egg, his mother told him he’d do amazing and magical things.

So he makes leaves vanish, defies death by crawling across high sticks and sheds his skin to applause. Before long, the students all adore him. But Houdini learns fame is short-lived. Soon, the students are equally enthralled by the class turtle, a visiting spider and a flowering plant.

Houdini decides to win back his fickle fans by performing his best trick ever. He seals himself inside a chrysalis and doesn’t move for almost two weeks. When he finally comes out, no one doubts the magic that was inside him.

Today’s guest reviewer is Helen. She was happy to meet Houdini and hear his story.

Our reviewer: Helen

Age: 7

I like: Playing “Peanut Butter and Jelly” outside. It’s a game with a red ball and a yellow ball. I also like Irish Dancing and pretending to be puppies with my friends.

This book was about: A caterpillar who can do cool tricks. The class watches, and after each one, he says “Ta-Da!” Then a turtle, a spider and a plant show up and the class watches them, instead.

The best part was when: The pictures show the cycle of how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly.

I laughed when: The picture showed just Houdini’s eyes peeking out of the cocoon right before he became a butterfly.

I was worried when: The cocoon turned all gray. I didn’t think his trick would work out. I thought he might turn into a dirty butterfly instead of a bright one.

I was surprised when: He actually became a clean, beautiful butterfly.

This book taught me: How a caterpillar turns into a butterfly.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Houdini.” “Caterpillar.” “Amazing.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Ta-Da!”

You should read this book because: If you’re learning about caterpillars and butterflies in school, this explains all the important parts. It even shows you what kind of an egg a caterpillar comes from.

Thanks, Helen!

Janet Pedersen wrote and illustrated this book after attending a “Butterfly Celebration Day” at her son’s school. She even included a page of facts about how Monarch butterflies go through metamorphosis.

Janet has also written and illustrated other children’s books. If you’d like to see more of her work, check out her illustration portfolio or her list of books.