Flare

K-Gr 2—In the second title in this early reader series, readers meet a newly reborn phoenix who believes that he is too tough to cry. Flare's guardians, Cloud, Wind, and Sun, believe that the phoenix needs to "know about crying" and take turns showing him what it looks and sounds like. Cloud rains tears, and Wind wails, but Flare does not like being wet, hides from the sound, and insists that he will never cry. Finally, Sun leads him to a baby bird who is injured in a fall from its nest. Flare is so saddened by his inability to help the little creature that, in spite of himself, he begins to weep. When his magical tears fall on the bird's broken wing and Flare witnesses their healing powers, he learns that sometimes crying is a good thing, especially for a phoenix. Côté's illustrations, done in watercolor with digital accents, mirror the playful innocence of this tale. The message in George's tender story will resonate with young readers, who will likely ask for others in the series. This title will fit right into any early reader collection and may even spark curiosity in these mythical birds.—Lynn Van Auken, Oak Bluffs School, Oak Bluffs, MA