Rita Rides Again

In one of two books opening the Rita the Rescuer series, readers meet a girl who transforms into a superhero in order to prevent various mishaps, in this case at a castle where Rita’s Granddad Potter serves as a guide. The story bridges picture book and early reader territory; a mix of comics-style panels and larger scenes show off Rita’s exploits, which include scaring away a ghost (“She gave a terrible roar and pulled a scary face. Sir Toby shrieked in terror”) and defeating a slew of knights in a jousting tournament. Readers are thrown into the story without much context—they’ll want to start with Rita on the River, available simultaneously—but watching Rita handily defeat peacocks, hedge mazes, and monsters without breaking a sweat is sure to fuel some imaginary heroic fantasies on the part of readers. Ages 5–7. (Jan.)