Alli's Missing Tooth. (The Cuddles Club). Sharon Jennings. Illustrated by Michelle Junkin. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2011. 24 pp., pbk., $4.99. ISBN 978-1-55455-213-9. Preschool-kindergarten / Ages 2-5. Review by Suzanne Pierson. **** /4
	Ella's Big Earache. (The Cuddles Club). Sharon Jennings. Illustrated by Michelle Junkin. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2011. 24 pp., pbk., $4.99. ISBN 978-1-55455-214-6. Preschool-kindergarten / Ages 2-5. Review by Suzanne Pierson. **** /4
	Giraldo's Tickly Throat. (The Cuddles Club). Sharon Jennings. Illustrated by Michelle Junkin. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2011. 24 pp., pbk., $4.99. ISBN 978-1-55455-215-3. Preschool-kindergarten / Ages 2-5. Review by Suzanne Pierson. **** /4
	Harley's Tummy Ache. (The Cuddles Club). Sharon Jennings. Illustrated by Michelle Junkin. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2011. 24 pp., pbk., $4.99. ISBN 978-1-55455-216-0. Preschool-kindergarten / Ages 2-5. Review by Suzanne Pierson. **** /4
	Manik's Nosey Finger. (The Cuddles Club). Sharon Jennings. Illustrated by Michelle Junkin. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2011. 24 pp., pbk., $4.99. ISBN 978-1-55455-217-7. Preschool-kindergarten / Ages 2-5. Review by Suzanne Pierson. **** /4

excerpt:

Ella Elephant liked lots of things. She liked swimming in the pond and reading books. But most of all, Ella liked The Rackety Racket Raccoon Band. She had all their posters and played their CDs over and over, with the volume up high.

"You're their biggest fan!" said her friends.
"You're my best customer!" said the store clerk.

"Turn down that music!" said her parents.

But one day... (From Ella's Big Earache.)

Michelle Junkin's colourful and cuddly (had to say it) illustrations are the perfect match for author Sharon Jennings' entertaining stories in this new series. Each book presents a common childhood health and wellness topic: losing a tooth, earaches, sore throats, tummy aches, and even, believe it or not, nose picking. The creators, author and illustrator, are to be congratulated on giving both parents and young children helpful information about these topics through the stories of five charmingly endearing animal characters.

      Beyond the stories, the excellent additional information and activities available at www.thecuddlesclub.com add value to the books. The goals of the series identified on the website include helping children understand health and wellness symptoms and providing parents with a practical, first-line treatment. The "For Parents" section on the website explains that the symptoms and first-line, non-medical treatments portrayed in the stories were sourced from the websites cited below and have been reviewed and validated by paediatrician Dr. Richard Hamat. Websites listed are AboutKidsHealth, MayoClinic.com, WebMD, and MedicineNet.com.

      An added bonus is that a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of each book will be donated to Cardiac Kids, an organization created in 2000 by the series creator, Jeff Neiman, to raise funds that directly benefit the children and staff of the cardiology ward at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, ON.

      The five animal characters in the series are each perfect choices for the wellness topic that they present.

      Who better than an alligator to present the pros and cons of losing a tooth in Alli's Missing Tooth.

      Ella the elephant gets an earache in one of her oversized ears in Ella's Big Earache.

      Giraldo the giraffe is the perfect character to present the symptoms and treatment of a sore throat in Giraldo's Tickly Throat.

      Harley the hippo eats too much and gets a sore stomach in Harley's Tummy Ache.

      Manik the monkey sticks his finger up his large monkey nostril one too many times and causes his nose to bleed on his new soccer jersey in Manik's Nosey Finger.

      With charming stories, helpful topics, great links to activities and additional information, and a portion of the profits going to support a good cause, recommending the books in "The Cuddles Club" series couldn't be easier. Enjoy.

Highly Recommended.

Suzanne Pierson is a retired teacher-librarian, currently instructing Librarianship courses at Queen's University in Kingston, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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