The Cobble Street Cousins Series

Titles:  #1 In Aunt Lucy's Kitchen; #2 A Little Shopping; #3 Special Gifts; #4 Some Good News; #5 Summer Party; #6 Wedding Flowers

Author:  Cynthia Rylant

Rating:  **  (2 stars out of 3 possible, "B")
             "Recommended" by me and "Highly Recommended"
              by my 8 year-old!

Audience:  Ages 7-10  (girls)

Imagine how pleased I was when my 8 year-old daughter sat down with new markers over Spring Break and wrote out an impromptu review of The Cobble Street Cousins/Book #2 A Little Shopping!  Here's what she had to say:  (sic)

Jobs for the Cobble Street Cousins:  Tess=Brodway star.  Lilly=Poet.  Rosie=?

Chapters:  3

Chapter 1:  Lilly comes up with a craft witch is makeing a doll house witch is also a flower shop.

Chapter 2:  The cousins bought the supplies they needed and got ice-cream.

Chapter 3:  They make the dollhouse, gave it to their Aunt, and got ice-cream.

Rate:  Five Star Rating *****  (then she drew a big smiley face)

My take?  My daughter (also named Tess) is on the right track.  This series by Cynthia Rylant is just the right size and speed for readers who are ready for short chapter books.  Rylant provides a very nice step-up option with simple topics and gentle plots.

Lily, Tess and Rosie are three cousins who are also best of friends.  They enjoy each other's differences and encourage each other's plans and hobbies.  The series moves through a year in their life with Aunt Lucy whom they hope will soon be marrying neighbor Michael.  Some families may be disappointed that the "winter" book (Special Gifts) only offers a winter's solstice gift exchange, but when late summer rolls along, Lucy and Michael are at least married by a priest.  All-in-all, the books value family and the simple joys of childhood, so I am happy to recommend the series.