ROAD TRIP

This beginning reader introduces
children to two hamsters with quite different personalities.

Part of the I Am A Reader line, this
first outing for Tip and Tucker opens in a pet shop, where Mr. Lopez has come
to purchase a pet. Tucker, a larger tan hamster, is excited and tries to get
Tip, a smaller gray-and-white hamster, interested. But Tip is the opposite of
curious, adventurous Tucker, and he hides in his plastic igloo. Mr. Lopez
purchases both hamsters, some food, and a cage. Tip gets even more nervous when
the man tells Rosa (whether proprietor or clerk is unclear) that the hamsters’ new
home will be noisy; he doesn’t like noisy. The trip to the car is bumpy, and
the car ride is more of the same. But Tucker likes the look of their new home:
It’s got blocks, jump ropes, balls, and lots of books. Mr. Lopez’s parting
words raise more questions for the two—“See you tomorrow. Your first day of
school!”—and set up the sequel. Short sentences in a fairly large font and
repetition help make the text of this rather bland plot manageable for
confident beginning readers, while Ceolin’s adorable illustrations give
children clues and nicely show the contrast between nervous Tip and reassuring
Tucker. Mr. Lopez and Rosa are probably both Latinx; he with light skin and
glasses and she with brown skin.

Tip and Tucker are not Elephant and
Piggie, but they’re cute and provide good practice for new readers. (Early reader.
5-7)