Bradford Street Buddies: Backyard Camp-Out

PreS-Gr 2—In this installment in the series, twins Jada and Jamal decide to explore the great outdoors when they discover camping supplies in their family's garage. Along with their friends Josh and Carlita, the children organize a search party when their neighbor's cat goes missing. The tension builds to one joyous reunion when they uncover the location of the missing feline. Ink and watercolor illustrations emphasize the warmth found in familiar relationships, and thin lines exude energy and excitement as the children take control of their surroundings. Background colors in shades of orange and blue convey the passage of time. Short chapters, heavy on dialogue, emphasize the growing relationships among friends and family, and clear, emphatic statements suit this selection for beginning readers ready for a slightly more developed story line.