Book Buddies: Dazzle Makes a Wish
Cynythia Lord, Author
Stephanie Graegin, Illustrator
Candlewick, Fiction, Mar. 21, 2023
Suitable for ages: 6-9
Themes: Library, Borrowing books, Repurposing toys, Friendship, Wish
Cynythia Lord, Author
Stephanie Graegin, Illustrator
Candlewick, Fiction, Mar. 21, 2023
Suitable for ages: 6-9
Themes: Library, Borrowing books, Repurposing toys, Friendship, Wish
Book Jacket Synopsis:
Dazzle is a toy unicorn whose tag says unicorns have the power to grant wishes. Dazzle wishes he had a child and a home of his own, but instead he gets sold at a yard sale and becomes one of the Book Buddies.
Maya has just moved and hopes Dazzle can grant her wish for a new friend. When a playdate doesn’t go as she hoped, Maya worries she hasn’t made a friend after all. Cann Dazzle and Maya help each other make their wishes come true?
From Newbery Honor winner Cynthia Lord and celebrated artist Stephanie Graegin, here is the thir title in a heartwarming series about a group of friendly toys at the library and the children who borrow them.
Why I like Dazzle Makes a Wish:
Children will find Cynthia Lord’s Book Buddies chapter book series charming and heartwarming. Fazzle Make a Wish is the third book, preceded by Ivy Lost and Found and Marco Polo Brave Explorer. It is the first series I’ve seen that pairs friendly toys with children who may need them to work through a difficult time. And what a terrific idea to repurpose the toys and give them a chance to be loved again by many more children. Such a great idea to check out a toy along with a book from a library.
Anne the librarian spots a beautiful white unicorn at a garage sale and promptly purchases it for the library Book Buddy program. Dazzle wishes for a home and child of his own. When he meets the other library toys, he’s disappointed, until Maya picks him for her buddy during story time. She is new and longs for a friend. She borrows Dazzle and their journey begins. Each toy has a journal, so when kids takes a buddy home, they have to write a story about what they do together — and boy does Maya have a lot to write about.
The short chapters will engage children, as will Graegin’s lovely pen and ink illustrations on nearly every page. I look forward to more Book Buddy adventures with new borrowers.
Cynthia Lord is the author of award-winning middle grade fiction titles such as the Newbery Honor Book Rules, and most recently Because of the Rabbit. She is also the author of Shelter Pet Squad chapter book series and the Book Buddies series. She lives in Maine.
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*Review copy provided by Candlewick in exchange for a review.