Sprout Street Neighbors: Five Stories

Five animal friends who share an apartment building feature in this sensitive and drily funny collection of five stories, which are driven by mild but realistic worries and conflicts. In one, Emma the squirrel bakes herself a 15-layer birthday cake, only to mistake it for a piñata, giving her the memorable party she wanted, but not how she expected; in another, Fernando the rabbit tries to summon the courage to embrace his unexplored passion for dancing. Alter’s b&w illustrations contribute greatly to the characters’ distinct personalities and the warm atmosphere of their neighborhood, one that readers will be eager to revisit. Ages 6–9. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Apr.)