Red Ribbon Rosie

In another Stepping Stone book of illustrated, readable chapters, Rosie discovers that winning isn't everything, but losing all the time hurts. Best friend Sally comes in first place in every race the two run together, and Rosie hates being second best. She even tries to win by cheating, but that doesn't make her feel any better. There are other troubles for Rosie; while Sally's family helps her all the time, Rosie's family is busy with their own lives. Then her older sister finds Rosie sobbing and gets the younger girl back on track. The whole family cheers for her on the day of a big race. This generous book lets kids know that it's all right to want to win, and features action-filled illustrations by Sims. Together author and artist offer a simple story, but one in which real emotions are dealt with in ways that ring true, and solutions only come from the heart. Ages 7-9. (May)