Into the Wild

PreS Little Nye's pals Gracie, Lester, and Nella lead the way as the friends work together to have fun. "Into the Wild" opens as Gracie packs a knapsack with supplies and mapready to head to the far reaches of the backyard for camping. Gracie has questions about her friends' readiness, but they insist that they can be brave adventurers. In "It's Vacation Time", Little Nye makes ice pops for a summer treat while Nella packs a large suitcase. Lester and Gracie offer to help, but she has everything under control; from the seemingly bottomless suitcase appear a ball, kite, shovel, and pail for beach games. "It's vacation time!" she saysbut the suitcase won't shut. Out comes more: a swim tube, fins, and face mask for paddling and watching fish. The suitcase still won't shut. As Little Nye asks once more about the case contents, ever-prepared Nella pulls out an entire boat, and Gracie ends the story with a problem-solving suggestion to please all. Illustrations in gouache and digital collage follow the action with brightly colored figures, toys in basic shapes, and a friendly quartet of animal pals with recognizable human personalities. Sweet, simple stories for sharing with young audiences."Mary Elam, Learning Media Services Plano ISD, TX" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.