In Janna and the Kings (Lee & Low Books, 2003) written by Patricia Smith and illustrated by Aaron Boyd, Janna and her grandfather are the best of friends.

Every Saturday morning — bright and early — he’s at her door to take her on an adventure.

The things they do — stop for a muffin, greet people in the neighborhood and visit his friends in the barbershop — are Janna’s favorite part of the week. When she and her grandfather are together, he’s the king, and she’s his princess.

When Janna’s grandfather unexpectedly dies, her world turns upside-down. But eventually, she discovers a way to remember her grandfather and enjoy Saturdays again.

Family Fun magazine had this to say about the book: “The love pours through on every page in this elegantly written tale . . . Sweet and tender, full of solace.”

Now, let’s hear from Ian.

Today’s reviewer: Ian

Age: 8

I like to: Play basketball, play with my friend, Caleb. Play with my three cats.

This book was about: A girl named Janna. Every Saturday she goes with her granddaddy and does something. And then, her granddaddy’s heart goes to sleep and Saturday doesn’t feel right. She goes to the barbershop where she used to go with him, and she feels like a princess again.

The best part was when: Janna and her granddaddy visited the barbershop.

I laughed when: Janna’s baby brother called her “Hanna.”

I was worried when: Janna’s granddaddy’s heart went to sleep. She was very sad.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Barbershop.” “Janna.” “Granddaddy.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Let’s see what Princess Sugarlump has to say about that.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The dog named Tata Chip.

Thanks, Ian!

This book, which won the New Voices Award from Lee & Low Books, was Patricia Smith’s first children’s book. But she was already an award-winning journalist, playwright and performer, and a four-time individual champion of the National Poetry Slam. She also authored the companion book to the critically acclaimed PBS documentary “Africans in America.” And, in 2008, her book Blood Dazzler, which tracks Hurricane Katrina as it transforms from a tropical depression to a Category 5 storm, was a finalist for the National Book Award.

For more information about Patricia, visit her website. And read this interview.

For more information about Aaron Boyd and other books he’s illustrated, visit his website. And read this interview.

When she arrives, Tinka’s natural exuberance causes problems and prompts a phone call from the office. But before Mom can come and collect Tinka, she redeems herself by sitting quietly and letting the children read to her.

Ian, today’s guest reviewer, used to have a dog named Bailey. He says Bailey never followed him to school, “But if he did, he probably would have just walked into my classroom and taken a nap on the floor.”

Here’s what else Ian had to say:

Our reviewer: Ian

Age: 7

I like: Playing basketball. Playing with my friend, Caleb. Building castles and other stuff out of Legos.

This book was about: A dog that has a lot of adventures at school.

The best part was when: The dog crashed into a box full of kickballs at the school.

I laughed when: The kickballs went everywhere.

I was worried when: When the teacher called the mom to come and get the dog. I thought the dog was in trouble.

I was surprised when: The dog went to school in the first place and that the dog had calmed down by the time the mom came to get her.

This book taught me: Don’t bring your dog to school.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Bad.” “Tinka.” “Dog.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Tinka is a hall dog, a ball dog, a crash-into-the-wall-dog.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The rhyming words.

You should read this book because: It’s funny.

Thanks, Ian!

This is a very short picture book with extremely clever rhyming lines about what makes Tinka tick. Because the text is spare, the illustrations show a lot of the mischief Tinka gets into as well as how much she’s loved by her owner and his friends.

You can learn more about author Deborah Heiligman at her Web site.

You can learn more about illustrator Tim Bowers at his Web site.