Small Readers: Tip and Tucker: Paw Painters by Ann Ingalls and Sue Lowell Gallion, illustrated by Andre Ceolin

 Tip and Tucker, two sweet little hamsters, have moved from their pet store to Mr. Lopez' classroom. Tucker, a plump brown hamster, likes to explore and participate in the class's adventures while Tip, a smaller gray and white hamster, prefers to watch things and make sure it's safe before venturing out.

When Mr. Lopez declares it's art week, the two hamsters are both interested - especially in the cardboard box creations! When the students go to recess, Tip and Tucker explore and get into quite a mess with the paint. Rainbow paw prints everywhere! Luckily, the children and Mr. Lopez find the disaster quite funny and they scoop up the hamsters, clean up the classroom, and hang up their art, now a little nibbled.

This is a nice intermediate easy reader, level J or lexile 370 if you use those measurements, with cute, colorful pictures. What makes this stand out is the inclusion of Spanish words throughout the text. The handful of kids in the classroom are diverse, although, like most books, a normal classroom of 20+ can't realistically be shown. The story does model a friendly, well-organized classroom and some simple conflict resolution as well.

Verdict: This is the third in a fun new series - hand to readers who enjoy Henry and Mudge and definitely add to diversify your easy reader shelves.

ISBN: 9781534110991; Published August 2020 by Sleeping Bear Press; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library