Cody and the Fountain of Happiness (Cody #1)
by Tricia Springstubb (Author) Eliza Wheeler (Illustrator)
For whimsical Cody, many things are beautiful, especially ants who say hello by rubbing feelers. But nothing is as beautiful as the first day of summer vacation, and Cody doesn't want to waste one minute of it. Meanwhile, teenage brother Wyatt is moping over a girl, Mom is stressed about her new job as Head of Shoes, Dad is off hauling chairs in his long-distance truck, and even camp has been closed for the summer.
What to do? Just when all seems lost, Cody bumps into a neighborhood boy named Spencer who is looking for a runaway cat. With a new friend and a soon-to-be-found cat, Cody is on her way to the fountain of happiness.
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School Library Journal
Gr 2-5—For quirky and capricious Cody, life is full of many beautiful things: her pet ants, summer vacation, and even her older brother, Wyatt. Yet, the start of this summer is not looking as promising as she had hoped. Cody's mom is offered a new position at work that keeps her busy, and Cody's camp has been canceled. That means she has to spend her vacation with her moody brother, who is moping over a girl. As Cody tries to make the best of the situation, she meets her new neighbor, who has just lost his cat. With Spencer, her ants, and her ability to see the brighter side of a situation, the child turns her not-so-good vacation into an adventure. With artfully drawn sketches mixed into the low-level text, this short novel may attract transitional readers. However, the plot is thin and somewhat boring. Cody is likable enough, but there is not enough development in the supporting characters and plot for readers to be drawn in. VERDICT This book falls short of Barbara Parks's popular "Junie B. Jones" series (Random).—Brittney Kosev, Dave Blair Elementary School, Farmers Branch, TX
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Publishers Weekly
Cody is thrilled to be on summer break and even happier that her camp has been cancelled. She envisions a summer of relaxation and freedom, but soon realizes that having "nothing to do" can get tiresome and that a lovelorn teenage brother isn't always the perfect playmate. Fortunately, Cody meets Spencer--a quiet, lonely boy visiting his grandmother--and helps him find his missing cat, MewMew. In between feeding her pet ants, playing matchmaker, and learning to become ambidextrous, Cody tries to befriend Spencer, but meets resistance. Springstubb's (Moonpenny Island) multicultural neighborhood comes to life nicely through Wheeler's ink-and-watercolor illustrations, and while Cody's zest for life and constant positive energy can be over the top, her boundless desire to be a good friend is inspiring. Wise advice ("First days are always hard. But everything will work out") and vibrant imagery ("Search back through the mists of time, and you would not find a shoe salesperson who worked as hard as Mom") round out this pleasing tale of friendship and family. Ages 7-10. Author's agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary. Illustrator's agent: Jennifer Rofe, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Apr.)
Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
—Kirkus Reviews Every First Day of Summer should start with Cody. Whether communing with ants, spouting science, or curing a case of the whim-whams, Cody's story is witty, heartwarming, and wise.
—Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody and Stink series Cody is perfectly charming and charmingly imperfect! I'm already hoping for more.
—Sara Pennypacker, author of the Clementine series Every once in a while, a book comes along that has tremendous heart, wit, and a voice so original and full of pure charm that it practically sings. This is such a book, and Cody is such a girl.
—Shawn K. Stout, author of the Penelope Crumb series Cody's heartfelt intentions do not always yield the expected results, but that's precisely the pleasure in this sweet story that celebrates friendship and community connections. Set in a multiethnic neighborhood and featuring a biracial, Hispanic family, this will be a great fit for libraries looking to strengthen the diversity of their collections.
—Booklist Cody's lively voice and keen observational skills build an involving story line out of the seeming simplicity of a vacation spent at home. Wheeler's stylish spot illustrations throughout suggest a diverse cast in this suburban setting.
—Horn Book Wheeler's monochromatic ink and watercolor illustrations add warmth and detail to the middle-grade-friendly text and its multicultural cast. Fans of Cleary's classic Ramona series or McDonald's Judy Moody titles may especially enjoy creative-minded Cody.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Cody's rosy outlook, Springstubb's fresh and imaginative writing, and Wheeler's whimsical pen-and-ink illustrations make a winning combination.
—School Library Connection
JUV013000 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | General
Families
Family life
Vacations
