My furry foster family: Truman the dog by Debbi Michiko Florence, illustrated by Melanie Demmer

I first heard about this planned new beginning chapter series at the kidlit conference in Rhode Island, earlier this year. I was very excited because it combines so many things I'm looking for - the popularity of animal rescue series, chapter books that are short and simple, under 100 pages, and a diverse cast of characters.

Eight-year old Kaita Takano and her family have a beloved dog, Ollie, that they rescued and have carefully trained. But now they're planning to start taking in foster animals and their first foster is a lab mix named Truman. He's a sweet dog and quickly makes friends with Ollie and the kids, but Truman keeps getting in trouble! He rips things up, gets in the trash, and hates to take baths. With lots of patience and love, the Takano family helps him adjust to living with a family, but when it's time for him to meet his forever friend, Kaita isn't sure she can let him go. In the end, although she's sad she realizes he's a perfect fit for the Garcia's and their son Ben, and waits happily for their next foster animal.

There is a brief glossary, picture gallery comparing fictional Kaita with the "real-life" Kaita, and some discussion questions and writing prompts. The pictures are cheerful and colorful and show Kiata and her Japanese-American family, the dark-skinned Garcia's, and Joss, the head of the animal rescue, who has dark hair and curly skin.

Verdict: These are just the right length, not too hard, not too easy, with a popular subject and a nice variety of characters. My only complaint is that I added these to the series section hoping/expecting a long run and there's only four! More please!

ISBN: 9781515844754; Published September 2019 by Picture Window/Capstone; Review copy provided by publisher; Series purchased in paperback for the library