The Good-Pie Party

Three girls hatch a plan to help make their parting truly sweet in a story that celebrates the bond of friendship while acknowledging the reality of transition. Posy Peyton is feeling blue, faced with moving away and leaving behind her two best friends, Megan and Mae. With most of the house boxed up, Posy sighs, “There’s nothing to do but bake.” Her friends seize on the idea, and the comforting culinary activity inspires a “good-pie” party to bid farewell (but not good-bye) to Posy’s friends and neighbors. Shifting skillfully between realistic expressions of lamentation, camaraderie, and love, Scanlon (All the World) sustains a positive vibe while giving full weight to how upset Posy is. Denton (A Birthday for Bear) is equally agile as frowns gradually give way to warm smiles. There’s a comforting realness to her ink-and-watercolor artwork—the girls look like real girls (and have real girls’ bodies), and the scenes include the accessible details of an ordinary house and neighborhood, from mismatched lawn chairs to tacky kitchen flooring, that make a place feel special. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. (Apr.)