Amber Brown is Feeling Blue by Paula Danziger

Amber Brown learns the lesson that decisions can be difficult to make and the end result doesn't make everyone happy when she must choose between spending Thanksgiving with her father or her mother. On top of this, a new girl starts school who has a colorful name too and Amber Brown doesn't know how to feel about this. The story is told from a first person narrative.

The author's choice of the name Amber Brown and the speaking style (I, Amber Brown...) used throughout the book made it enjoyable to read. The repetition of her name provides word recognition helping children feel they can get through a big book. The first person style draws in the reader and makes Amber feel like a real person.

It is a modern story dealing with the impact of divorce on a child and the feelings and situations that occur when parents begin dating. Amber's friends and scenes set in school are recognizable to what children encounter each day. There are some illustrations throughout the book but they are not the focus.

Danziger, P. (1998). Amber brown is feeling blue. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
ISBN: 0439071682
Illustrated by Tony Ross

Hazel's Amazing Mother by Rosemary Wells

Hazel, a badger, goes shopping for picnic supplies while pushing her doll in a stroller. She gets lost and ends up lost and roughed up by three mean children. Hazel wails for her mother and like magic Mom appears and forces the mean children to make amends. The illustrations are humorous and colorful.

I liked the story but I think some children might be scared when Hazel is being bullied. I felt that Mom coming to Hazel's rescue took the book into a less scary place for a child. I thought Hazel was adorable!

Wells, R. (1985). Hazel's amazing mother. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.
ISBN: 0803702094
Illustrated by the author