Ella and Olivia: Country School by Yvette Poshoglian Ill. by Danielle McDonald

Designed for those young girls newly arrived at reading chapter books by themselves, these stories about two best friends, Ella and Olivia, will not stretch the imaginations of its readers. Simple stories, simply told, without too much complication will make these an easy read for newly independent readers, wanting to achieve quick success.

?In this the latest in a series of 36 books, Ella and Olivia go on an excursion to a country school. This school is lucky enough to have a number of farm animals, and the girls have the opportunity to feed the chickens, marvel at the horses in their paddock, collect the eggs and pat the lambs.

They have a lovely time, but are concerned when, the lamb goes missing. The gate to his enclosure is open, so the girls follow the trail, finding him in a basket of wool ready for knitting.

Attractively packaged, with clear, simple line drawings, these books (and yes, there are more to come) will have an instant audience in junior primary classes. At the end of the book is a list of all 36 titles, with the prod to collect them all!

Themes: School, Farms, Animals, Humour, Excursions, Friendship.

Fran Knight