Gr 1-3–In this fourth installment in the series, Cork (a muskrat) and Fuzz (a possum) are looking for shiny stones to add to their collections. Fuzz wraps a feather (from his feather collection) on his tail and begins sweeping away dirt, hoping to uncover some treasures. As they work their way down to the pond, Cork finds some pretty green stones. While they study them, the “stones” begin to hatch. They are soon surrounded by ducklings, and Mother Duck is not far behind. With the feather in his tail, Fuzz is mistaken for one of her babies and she pushes him into her nest and sits on him. It is up to Cork to find a way to free his friend and, accidentally, he does just that. As the story ends, readers watch the “two best friends, collecting laughs all the way home.” These buddies are at their silly, illogical best, charming readers with their friendly competitiveness. This book is targeted at newly independent readers and has appropriately challenging words like “feather” and “whispered.” The text flows smoothly and remains entertaining throughout. Delightful pen-and-watercolor illustrations offer plenty of context clues. Teachers will find this title a perfect choice for reading groups.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

BOOKLIST, MARCH 2008
The Collectors.
Chaconas, Dori (Author)
McCue, Lisa (Illustrator)
Mar 2008. 32 p. Viking, hardcover, $13.99 (978067006287)

The fourth easy-to-read chapter book about Cork, the short muskrat, and Fuzz, the tall possum, once again tells a warm story about best friends who are different and sometimes scrappy, but still like each other and have lots of fun. In this book, the "stones" Fuzz collects hatch into ducklings, and the feather he has causes big mother duck to drag him to her nest. Cork, of course, comes to the rescue. McCue's clear, lovely line-and-watercolor pictures show the mischievous, furry friends sometimes a little tense, but still "collecting laughs all the way home."---Hazel Rochman