Starla Jean Takes the Cake

August 15, 2021
Starla Jean and her beloved chicken, Opal Egg, are back for a second escapade. Starla Jean can't want to make a cake for her baby sister's first birthday party, but they've run out of eggs. Dad offers to get some from the store, but Starla Jean believes in Opal Egg's ability to lay an egg in time. Proactive Starla Jean goes to work supporting her feathered friend with encouragement, exercise, and relaxation, but the nesting box remains disappointingly empty. Will Opal Egg lay an egg in time? And what if it's not exactly the kind of egg Starla Jean had in mind? Following the structure of the first, much-lauded book, this story for transitional readers is told in four short chapters. Colorful illustrations on every page have a hipster aesthetic and are rendered in friendly colors and soft textures. Starla Jean's bright, bold narration is printed in large, easy-to-read type bolstered by generous white space between and around words, sentences, and blocks of text. The intrigue of the mysterious meowing Starla Jean hears is somewhat muddled by the visual presence of Starla Jean's own black cat; nevertheless, the story's punchline is amusing and joyous. The book is equally charming as a stand-alone or follow-up to series opener Starla Jean (2021). Starla Jean's family is depicted with light-brown or dark hair and pale skin. The new kid in the neighborhood is drawn with light-brown skin and dark-brown hair. Established and new fans alike will find much to love in this whimsical outing. (Fiction. 6-9)

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Starred review from October 1, 2021

Gr 1-3-Starla Jean, who is Willa's big sister and a chicken expert, is a curious and spirited little girl with pale skin and dark hair. She is eager to help her mom plan Willa's first birthday party, complete with making bean-and-cheese burritos and a homemade cake! It's a good thing Starla Jean is a chicken expert because her chicken, Opal Egg, will lay an egg for the cake. When she checks the chicken coop and finds no eggs, she must figure out how to save the day and get Willa's cake made. With four short chapters, Arnold captures the innocence of childhood while making readers giggle. Each chapter contains a combination of full- and half-page illustrations-no page is without some imagery to cue readers. Sentence length varies, making it perfect to share with family. The use of bold and elongated words, like "BAWK" keep the reader engaged. Children will see themselves in the animal-loving protagonist and be eager for more adventures. Starla Jean is the kind of enduring character that readers will turn to time and time again. VERDICT The delightful second in an excellent series of early reader chapter books. Children will love solving problems and chuckling alongside Starla Jean.-Kelly Finan Richards, Baltimore County Public Sch.

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