Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 2^-4. The first two chapters in this episodic book concern Iris, Walter, and Rain, a "fast and wild" horse. Iris longs to ride Rain; however, her initial overtures (yelling and offering cookies) scare the horse away. Iris tones down her approach and tries to please the horse, with great success. The remaining two chapters focus on the children's first two days of school. When his teacher shortens Walter's name, he's unhappy but unable to tell her so. Inspired by a friendly note from Iris, he comes up with a clever way to let his teacher know that he's Walter, not Walt. The tone of the stories is gentle but lively. Drawn in a breezy, spontaneous style, the ink sketches by Christine Davenier are washed with colorful tints for a casual effect that is quite disarming. An appealing set of stories for children who are beginning to venture beyond the easy-reading section. --Carolyn Phelan
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The dynamic duo that first met in the beginning reader Iris and Walter are back in Iris and Walter: True Friends by Elissa Haden Guest, illus. by Christine Davenier. With Walter's help, Iris slowly befriends a horse called Rain, then works up to riding her; and Iris heads to her new school. The two are as engaging as ever. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-In the first two chapters of this easy-reader, Walter teaches Iris to win the trust of a horse so that she can fulfill her dream to ride Rain "over green meadows, down a path of pines, straight into the sparkling stream." Although Iris is brave enough to accomplish this feat, chapter three deals with her first-day jitters when starting a new school, and the support she receives from her family, classmate Walter, and their teacher. Next, she helps Walter communicate his wish to be called by his full name instead of Walt. This sequel to Iris and Walter (Harcourt, 2000) celebrates friendship, validates emotions, and exemplifies problem solving. While readers new to these characters aren't told that Iris recently moved to the country, that detail is not essential to understand these charming stories. Davenier's expert use of pen and ink on keacolor paper results in cartoon characters whose facial expressions and body language exude emotion. The vibrant colors flow with captivating hues and shadows, and several sweeping vistas are printed on double-page spreads. Treat beginning readers to this book about common childhood events and feelings.-Laura Scott, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In an opening chapter that's more a kid's wish-fulfillment fantasy than it is realistic, Walter helps his friend Iris ride the horse Rain, who is fast and wild. That feat accomplished, the two bravely face the scary beginning of school; with Iris's support, Walter gets the teacher to stop calling him Walt. Featuring spontaneous-looking illustrations, the second book in this series demonstrates Guest's understanding of the child's viewpoint. From HORN BOOK Fall 2001, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
