KATIE WOO RULES THE SCHOOL reminds me of books I used to read in grade school. I remember finding each chapter, with its new scenario, endlessly fascinating, and I think young readers will feel the same way about Katie Woo.

I especially enjoyed the chapter about Katie learning to deal with a bully. That rang very true for situations that often happen in elementary school, and Katie goes from crying and feeling hurt over the bully's words to learning how to ignore him and have a good day because she no longer gives him the power to bother her.

I was a bit less enamored with the chapter in which Katie steals a classmate's airplane because she wants to play with it, and then lies when asked if she knows where it is. I think this is a great scenario to deal with in a book like this, but I was unhappy that Katie fixes the situation by lying AGAIN about finding the airplane by the pencil sharpener. She admits privately to the classmate that she lied and that she took the airplane, so perhaps that's consequence enough, but I didn't care for the example of fixing one lie by telling another.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations are lovely, the kids in Katie's classroom are diverse, and the situations she faces ring true for elementary school.

The latest offering in the Katie Woo series, KATIE WOO RULES THE SCHOOL, by Fran Manushikin, is an early-reader with lovely watercolor illustrations and simple text, perfect for those readers just risking the giant step away from picture books.

The main character, Katie Woo, wears bright blue spectacles – even to bed! She faces many of the same dilemmas her readers will face: the awesome responsibility of taking care of the class pet for the weekend; being teased; coveting a classmate’s toy. The stories resolve happily, lessons learned and crises averted. I might wish for just a bit more spice among the sweetness, but that could be asking too much of so few words.

Aimed at just-beginning independent readers, these three stories are clearly told, and evocatively illustrated. A young reader would find Katie Woo a sympathetic heroine, and having read a proper book, no doubt glow with pride at her achievement, and what more could anyone ask for?