Block Party (Confetti Kids #3)

April 1, 2017

K-Gr 2-Padma is embarrassed about bringing an Indian dish to share with friends at a neighborhood block party. She wishes her family's contribution could be pizza. When her mother asks her to take the pot of lentil soup outside, Padma places it on the beverage table, carefully hiding it behind the drinks. But when the pot is discovered and the other children enjoy the delicious soup, Padma is proud to have helped her mother prepare the meal. With three very short chapters, controlled vocabulary, and lots of cheerful illustrations, this title conforms to the familiar structure of many beginning readers. The included soup recipe is a charming extra feature. This beginning reader distinguishes itself with its strong representation of children from a variety of cultures, addressing the need for greater diversity in this format. VERDICT A strong addition for all libraries serving new and emerging readers.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2017
In Block Party, Padma worries that her neighbors will not like the soup her mother learned to make in India. In Music Time, Henry wants to practice his drums, but his mother needs quiet. Solutions to both problems come with too much ease, but Ng-Benitez's illustrations portray a refreshingly multicultural circle of city-neighborhood friends, and Block Party addresses concerns rarely tackled in easy readers.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)