Two Speckled Eggs
PreS-Gr 2—Ginger's mom tells her to invite all the girls in her class to her birthday party or none of them. Reluctantly, Ginger consents, even though it means that oddball Lyla Browning, who smells like old leaves and brings a tarantula to show-and-tell, will be in attendance. As it turns out, the other girls play games by different rules, and Ginger's favorite cake flavor—pineapple and coconut—proves to be far less than a hit. Lyla is the only guest whose preferences and sensibilities mesh with those of the hostess, and a gift of two malted-milk eggs in a homemade nest marks the beginning of a true friendship. Penciled figures keep the facial expressions simple, while the gouache illustrations soften digital collage elements like the playground pavement, the tablecloth, and patterned couch, complementing the expected but sweet and satisfying story.—Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library