In this newest Katie Woo book, six-year-old Katie's mother goes to bring soup to a sick neighbor, but when Katie asks if she can go, her mother is afraid Katie will catch the illness. Her dad won't let her help fix the car because she might get hurt. Katie wants to be useful, so she comes up with an idea: she will make supper. After filling a pot with water, spaghetti, tomato sauce, and olives, and leaving it for Mom to cook since she's not allowed to turn on the stove, Katie decides to make cookies--with the result that flour ends up everywhere in the kitchen. Then there's a scary sound (is it a ghost?), followed by a thunderstorm ("Storms don't scare me!"), and Katie hides in a closet, where her mother finds her. All's well that ends well in this feel-good story about a helpful little girl and her wise and supportive parents. These short chapter books are perfect for those who clamor for more than picture books, and a glossary, discussion questions, writing prompts, and "Having Fun with Katie Woo" sections add to their appeal for kids, parents, librarians, and teachers alike. 31 pages. Recommended for ages 6-8 .

Recommended by Barbara Karp, Librarian