Clayton, Annette M. JoJo and the Bake Sale. Carolina Vazquez, Illus. Lerner Stories: JoJo. Lerner, 08/2025. 39pp. Fiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8-7656-2835-5. Paper $9.99. 979-8-7656-2839-3. GRADES 2–3. ADDITIONAL.
SERIES REVIEW: Four early chapter books depict JoJo and her trio of friends discovering what being good, helpful, and kind friends should be like. Each story is similarly structured, with something interesting and fun happening, things beginning to go wrong, and then JoJo realizing and doing something that sets things right. Examples include: she tries to make better cupcakes on her own, but having fun baking with her friends would have had better results; learning responsibility with a puppy in a room not cleaned up (with paint and glitter out); letting a friend who practiced for the talent show take the lead after JoJo was distracted by making props with glitter; or the best lesson seemed to be noticing that a friend was feeling excluded, figuring out why, and helping her out. Color digital illustrations spread throughout the titles provide welcome details to the quick-paced, short stories. The four girls are each drawn differently, with various skin tones, hair, and facial features, making for a diverse group of girls and classmates. The author is listed as being like JoJo, Puerto Rican and with hearing differences, though the text does not talk about ethnic backgrounds, but does focus on the hearing aid in Fashion Show. Enjoyable stories for readers looking for a touch of trouble mixed with great friends and good endings.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library