Have you ever met Andy Shane? Become acquainted now, and give young readers a chance to fall in love with a new series. Andy, a quiet, contemplative grammar school student, lives with Granny Webb, a woman so smart that she knows the scientific name for insects. Ms. Janice teaches him, and Dolores Starbuckle, his bossy, well-intentioned best friend, is in his class, too. Here is an excerpt from the first page of "Not in Love."
Dolores Starbuckle leaned over Andy Shane's desk. She pointed to the picture Andy was drawing. "Make a turret here," she said.
"What's a turret?" asked Yummi.
"It's the pointy part of a castle," said Dolores.
"Who said we were making a castle?" asked Andy.
See what I mean about Dolores? Other books in the series tell the history of his friendship with the irrepressible and sometimes heavy-handed pal. All the Andy titles are instructive (how to deal politely with an overbearing friend) and laced with empathy and humor that keep them from being didactic or predictable.
The paperback edition of "Andy Shane is Not in Love" is available now for a mere $4.99. Though the title and the timing of the inexpensive release suggest this is a Valentine book, it certainly works as fun reading any day of the year. When a new girl, Lark Alice Bell, joins Ms. Janice's group, Andy and Dolores become classroom helpers, leading the way to the pencil sharpener, the math materials cupboard and the exact location of the morning meeting. Lark has dancing green eyes and a willingness to build snow forts, and though she misses her old school, she fits in just fine.
Andy and Dolores both like her a lot. However, everyone knows that a duo of friends that transforms into a trio creates some growing pains. No more about the book, you'll have to read the details yourself. The story is a prime example of Andy Shane fare: sweet but not sickeningly so. Boys and girls who like Junie B. Jones, Judy Moody and Stink, and Wimpy Kid will appreciate meeting these new characters. It is a good time to get hooked. Another installment, "Andy Shane: Hero At Last" hits stores in April. The hardcover will cost $14.99, and as a testament to Andy's popularity, staffers of Web sites are accepting orders now. Excitement about reading. What's not to love?
The art of planning
If you are making vacation arrangements, consider a few bits of book and art news. For example, an exhibition of 80 paintings, sculptures and drawings that Pierre-Auguste Renoir produced during the latter part of his life will tour the United States through September. In conjunction with the traveling exhibit, Abbeville Press has published "Renoir" by French art historian Anne Distel (400 pages, $135). The text is accompanied by 300 illustrations.
Also, Abrams Books has reprinted "Renoir: His Life, Art and Letters" by renowned Renoir scholar Barbara Ehrlich White. Published in 1984, this 312-page book contains 391 illustrations. It sells for $50. The Renoir exhibit is at the Los Angeles County Museum from Sunday through May 9. The Philadelphia Museum of Art will show the exhibit June 12 through Sept. 5.
It's a new look at birds
A revised edition of the "Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America North" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 464 pages, $19.95) is coming out in March. A team of professional birders have updated this new, sixth edition.
Read All About It covers books for children and young adults. Send notes to brandy.allport@ jacksonville.com.
IF YOU READ IT 'Andy Shane is Not in Love' Author: Jennifer Richard Jacobson. Data: Candlewick Press, $4.99, ages 7 to 9. Other titles in the series: - "Andy Shane and the Very Bossy Dolores Starbuckle" - "Andy Shane and the Pumpkin Trick" - "Andy Shane and the Queen of Egypt" - "Andy Shane and the Barn Sale Mystery"