Lionel at Large

For this volume, Krensky has written five short stories for the Easy-to-Read set. New readers will delight in these episodes that star Lionel, each addressing a concern of children: eating vegetables (or choosing not to); going to the doctor for a shot; fear of (your sister's) pet snakes; worries about the arrival of a new baby (in your best friend's family); and sleeping away from home for the first time. A lively text and Natti's natty illustrations hook into Lionel's world as he envisions an escaped snake lounging about in one of his socks, or as he sneaks a phone call to his mother while staying overnight at a friend's house. It's a book that's sure to encourage beginning readers. (4-8)