cover image Zaza's Big Break

Zaza's Big Break

Emily Arnold McCully. HarperCollins Publishers, $12.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-06-024223-7

Last seen in The Show Must Go On , Zaza, Edwin and Sarah are part of a family of theater bears; their father writes the plays, their mother directs and all of them perform. Then Zaza is invited to Hollywood to try out for a TV show. Edwin and Sarah are rather subdued about the news, but Zaza is extremely happy. On the plane ride out, Zaza's parents hope that TV won't make Zaza grow up too fast; Zaza dreams of life as a star. But while acting in front of the camera, Zaza begins to have doubts. And after a day of filming, she has to admit she doesn't like TV acting, and knows she must face the director with her news. McCully ( New Baby and The Christmas Gift ) has created a secure, loving story about Zaza and her close-knit family. The pictures express the many emotional moments of each member, as well as the contrasts between the snug theater world and the false glamour of Hollywood. Ages 5-8. (Sept.)