The Blue Ribbon Day
Written By: Katie Couric
Illustrated by: Marjorie Priceman
Recommended forages: 4-8
Doubleday Books $22.95

Ellie McSnelly and Carrie O’Toole are back in this adorable picture book that shows us that we all have special talents. It is just a matter of finding your niche. Katie Couric, who also wrote The Brand New Kid, does a fine job of teaching young readers that sometimes they will be disappointed by their attempts at accomplishing a goal. With perseverance and dedication, they will find that “Everybody’s a star, a brilliant creation. The trouble is finding the right constellation!”

When Ellie and Carrie both try out for the school soccer team, they are disappointed to find out that only Ellie has made the cut. Carrie’s mother explains that she will shine at something else. Just wait and see. The next week at school Carrie and her friend Lazlo team up to enter the Science Fair. They work diligently on a concoction that eventually earns them a first place finish and a blue ribbon to accompany it. The following day, Ellie scored the winning goal in her soccer game. And so it goes that the best friends each had their moment in the spotlight, just on different playing fields.

The rhyming text and bright illustrations make this an enjoyable read for parents and children alike.