Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Relatable stories in short chapters have good life lessons.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In the KATIE WOO series, early elementary school student Katie is a kid young readers can relate to. She usually has fun with her friends, but sometimes she gets teased. She has great ideas, but she gets sad when they don't work out the way she wants. Katie, with her friends JoJo and Pedro, deal with hurt feelings and lost animals and navigating the ever-changing social situations at school. Katie means well, but gets in her share of trouble -- and then gets out of it, learning lessons along the way.
Is It Any Good?
These are great stories for beginning readers. The sentences and the content are simple but engaging, and the illustrations are colorful and expressive. Asian-American Katie Woo has friends of every color, so all readers will see someone who looks like them on the pages.
It's nice that Katie isn't overdone as a character -- she isn't sassy and doesn't go for cheap laughs. She's just a regular kid who deals with situations all kids do, and does it in a way kids can relate to.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Katie Woo reacts when she's upset. How would you react if a friend had a toy you wanted? Would you lie to get it?
What is Katie thinking about when she's getting teased? Have you been teased at school? Have you teased anyone?
What other books have friends who celebrate holidays together?
Book Details
- Author: Fran Manushkin
- Illustrator: Tammie Lyon
- Genre: For Beginning Readers
- Topics: Adventures , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Picture Window Books
- Publication date: February 1, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 5 - 7
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Paperback, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: April 24, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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What to Read Next
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