Bookseller Publisher Review

Billie B Brown's class is off to the zoo and Billie couldn't be more proud as she's going to be her teacher's extra- special helper for the day. Billie needs to make sure that everyone behaves and that no-one gets lost-but is she up to the task? This cute little reader is the latest addition to Sally Rippin's series for emerging readers that revolves around what the `B' in Billie B Brown really stands for-this time, bossiness. Rippin's aim is to offer an alternative to fairy and princess readers, and she carefully challenges gender stereotypes through the characters of Billie and her best friend Jack. This story develops their friendship particularly well as Billie learns to juggle her responsibilities as both a friend and helper. Illustrator Aki Fukuoka does a great job of capturing Billie's quirky and defiantly messy character, complementing the overall bright, modern and friendly series design. Children will want to pick these books up and give them a try-and the layout, with its generous type and fun use of emphasised words, will help keep them going. Short and sweet, this engaging reader for children five years and up also makes a great accompaniment to a first school excursion. Meredith Tate is a freelance writer, editor and reviewer who has worked for a children's publisher