AVA LIN, SUPER-DUPER HAPPY

A school fundraiser and a visit from Grandma in the same week—what could go wrong for Ava Lin?

Six-and-a-half-year-old Ava is about to have the BEST WEEK EVER. Her popo (Chinese for grandma) is visiting, and Ava is excited to show off her treasures, like a button, an acorn, and the inside part of a marker. Things go wrong almost immediately when Popo calls Ava’s treasures dirty and throws them away. But eventually, Ava and Popo find common ground and start to have fun together. Ava’s also preparing for a walkathon at school. She must find sponsors, strategize, and improve her stamina so she can win a gold medal. Torn between spending time with Popo and completing her walkathon plan, Ava is overwhelmed and starts to cry. With help from her family, however, Ava finds that there’s enough time in each day for everything she wants to do. Black-and-white illustrations—made up of spot art and comics-style panels—add humor, while the simple vocabulary and story structure are ideal for newly independent readers. As in previous titles in the series, Ava’s big feelings are realistic and validated; adults express frustration without being dismissive and offer coping skills like mindful breathing to help Ava calm down. Ava and her family are of Chinese descent; other characters are illustrated with a range of skin tones.

Now in its third installment, this series continues to charm.