Rebecca McRitchie (text) and Danielle McDonald (illustrator), Meet Ella: Spotty Puppy, Scholastic Australia, July 2021, 48 pp., RRP $7.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760973902
Rebecca McRitchie (text) and Danielle McDonald (illustrator), Meet Ella: New Teacher, Scholastic Australia, July 2021, 48 pp., RRP $7.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760973919
The first two titles of a new series continuing the adventures of six-year old Ella,
have been written and designed for newly independent readers. Divided into chapters, they are set in large type with key words in bold, and generous line spacing. There are copious black and white illustrations. The stories develop with action and humour.
In the first book, Ella does not like her new temporary teacher. However she soon finds that they have interests in common and is sorry when she leaves. Spotty Puppy provides another gentle life lesson when Ella wants to adopt a puppy that follows her home from the park. Her hand-drawn posters soon bring the owner and Ella is happy to see the two reunited.
Reviewed by Elizabeth Douglas
