NOSY ROSIE

A wee fox’s knack for locating lost items earns her an undesirable moniker in this sensitive tale from Keller. Like most preschoolers, Rose is eager to please. With her uncanny sense of smell, she excels at locating lost items for friends and family. Unfortunately, her special skill has negative consequences. In the typical way of young children, Rose’s companions soon think up the name “Nosy Rosie.” When her friends will not heed her requests to stop, Rose cunningly decides to ignore their requests for help. Keller tackles a very common scenario for this age group and readers will identify with Rose’s dilemma. However, Keller offers them a slyly sensible, non-confrontational resolution. By tale’s end, Rose’s self-determination and her happy rescue of a lost baby earns everyone’s respect and accolades. Keller’s watercolor illustrations are winsomely simple. Her black line sketches gently colored in an array of muted pastels reflect the essential serenity at this tale’s core. Keller’s lovely story is a sure pick to share with any youngster struggling with peer issues. (Picture Book. 4-7)