"Andy and Dolores tangle as they try to negotiate their bumpy friendship. . . .An upbeat volume for confident beginning readers." — The Horn Book The school Culture Fair is coming up, and Andy Shane has to pick an African country to learn about. Deciding isn’t easy for Andy, so he’s glad when Granny Webb gives him a scarab beetle, which he knows is a symbol of Egypt. But when Andy tries to tell Ms. Janice, Dolores Starbuckle springs up with her gold jewelry and glitter sandals and claims that she is the queen of Egypt. Dolores always gets her way — but this time Andy doesn’t feel like caving in. What will it take for him to share his project with the bossy queen? Fans of the endearing Andy Shane will be happy to see him holding his own in his new early-chapter-book adventure.

When a new girl comes to Andy's school, a jealous Dolores thinks he's in love — but Andy's thoughts are on a companion of the four-legged kind. On the day Ms. Janice introduces Lark Alice Bell to the class, Dolores is proud to be the new girl's helper at recess. But Dolores is not so glad to see her friend Andy scribbling LAB inside a heart in his notebook, and she's downright mad to find out that Lark has visited Andy at home. Luckily, when they all go back to Lark's house — and take a peek at the squirming puppies in her basement — Dolores figures out what has really been on Andy's mind all along. In his fourth engaging adventure, Andy Shane learns about the delicate balance of old friends and new, and the special joy of bringing home a dog of his own.

With insight and humor, Jennifer Richard Jacobson explores a common childhood anxiety and finds a quiet way to boost self-esteem, aided by Abby Carter’s expressive illustrations. Andy Shane did not want to be in school. He did not want to be at morning meeting. He did not want to sit up straight on the rug. Andy Shane would much rather be home catching bugs with Granny Webb than sitting in class with the likes of know-it-all Dolores Starbuckle. Any minute, Dolores is likely to shout out, 'Ms. Janice, someone's not sitting properly!" or "Ms. Janice, someone's misusing the math materials!" (meaning him, of course). At rhyme time, the words bug and rug get stuck in Andy's throat while Dolores yells out of turn, "Hullabaloo and Kalamazoo!" "I hate school," he blurts out at the end of the day to Granny Webb, who is sympathetic but firm. But when Granny makes a surprise visit to school with a monarch caterpillar, everyone is mesmerized and Andy remembers how much he knows about insects himself. Even Dolores Starbuckle can’t help but be impressed!

The spirit of giving takes a twisty turn as Andy schemes to give Granny Webb the best present ever--and ends up with a mystery on his hands. (Ages 5-8) It’s Andy Shane and Granny Webb’s unbirthday, and Andy has thought of just the right gift for Granny Webb: a case to hold her beloved binoculars. The only problem is that Andy has no money. But with the help of his friend Dolores Starbuckle, he comes up with the perfect plan--a barn sale! And sure enough, the determined duo sells enough stuff to afford the binoculars case--but now where are the binoculars? The endearing Andy Shane and his enterprising pal Dolores call on their best detective skills in this witty mystery story. But can they solve the case in time for the unbirthday party?

A bicycle-decorating contest provides Andy with a humorous and highly appreciated opportunity to save the hometown parade. There are two things Andy Shane wants more than anything — to win the contest for best-decorated bike in the parade, and . . . to be a hero. He has a great idea for the bike part, although high-strung Dolores is upping the ante with her paper-daisy-covered helmets for her and her cat. But the second goal has Andy stumped, until the parade is in motion and his eagle eyes catch the reason why the drum corps has suddenly thrown the marchers out of whack. Pass the baton to a lovably low-key hero as he saves the day in a new adventure for early chapter-book readers.

When pranksters ruin Dolores Starbuckle’s pumpkins, Andy puts his trickiest plan to the test in this humorous tale filled with Halloween fun. Andy Shane does not want to go to Dolores Starbuckle’s birthday party. It’s on the same day as Halloween! Plus, Dolores is always ordering Andy around or squealing over his marble collection. But when Dolores tells Andy that someone is smashing pumpkins in front of her house, the thought of tricking the tricksters is too appealing to resist. Maybe he could scare off the vandals and give Dolores a really great present, all at the same time! Andy Shane returns in a second upbeat tale for early chapter-book readers.

This valuable reference guide provides suggestions of picture books set in more than 70 countries in each continent of the world, along with standards-based activities. Reading the World with Picture Books presents an exhaustive collection of booktalk options with picture books that are set in the major countries of each continent. Hundreds of children's books with an international flavor are organized by continent and then by country, and suggested activities accompany the titles, encouraging students to interpret information related to historical or geographic concepts and use problem-solving skills. Activities range from those appropriate for beginners to experienced researchers/writers. All call for high-level thinking and most provide opportunities to respond in creative ways. In addition, all of the activities are keyed to selected national standards in language arts and social studies. The picture books suggested are not only excellent choices to capture a booktalk audience's attention and educate young readers about world culture, but also to demonstrate how human beings have adapted to the various environments of the world.