The Collectors

In her authorial debut, Feagan (School Days Around the World) tells the story of white-skinned Winslow, a "fearless finder," and brown-skinned Rosie, a "clever cataloguer," best friends who have filled their tree house with "an impressive collection of natural wonders." Now the girls need just one more object--"something extraordinary!"--to fill the last empty space. The adventure that follows involves a series of discoveries that prove variously impossible, even for the intrepid pair: a huge amethyst is "TOO HEAVY," an underground dinosaur skeleton is "TOO BIG," and a large, angry bear puts an end to finding anything "TOO HIDDEN" in a deep, dark cave. Happily, nature steps up to provide the pair with the crowning touch they've been seeking. Feagan's cut-paper collages, which are full of drama and detail, give readers a sense of an expansive and largely exploration-friendly landscape. A cutaway scene that shows the girls diving from a wooded shore into a sunlit turquoise lake and spotting a huge gold nugget resting at the bottom feels like a story in and of itself. Ages 3-7. (May)

PreS-Gr 2--Two inquisitive friends set out on an expedition to find something extraordinary to cap off their extensive collection of natural wonders.Through a Goldilocks-style framework, the girls happen upon a series of fantastic discoveries that all have some fatal flaw ("too big!" "too heavy!") until their journey comes to an end, and they realize they've come away empty-handed. The narrative sends a valuable message about the process of discovery, however, when the girls reflect on how much they learned through trial and error. Moreover, a happy ending is assured when a nest of baby birds hatches right outside their window, gently reminding readers to appreciate the good things that can happen right in front of their eyes. The adventure-filled plot and appealing illustrations will make this cheerful book a surefire hit at story hours. It truly hits all the right notes, featuring science-loving girls, diversity (one of the friends has brown skin, the other is pale), and the importance of teamwork and friendship. VERDICT This engaging first-purchase story offers a positive depiction of girls with an interest in STEM, and encourages exploration and discovery.--Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Lib., CA