Reading Metrics
Description
Blue Kangaroo feels rejected when Lily, his owner, gets many more animals.
Quick Summary
When Lily starts bringing home more and more toys, Blue Kangaroo begins to feel like he's been pushed to the side, and his worry that he's no longer special will hit home for any child who's ever felt jealous of a new sibling or a pile of new gadgets. The story is told in short, easy sentences with bright watercolor pictures that give it a cozy picture-book feel, making it perfect for read-alouds with kindergarteners or for newly independent readers tackling their first chapter-style books. It strikes a nice balance between gentle humor Blue Kangaroo's exaggerated expressions are laugh-out-loud funny and a reassuring message that love grows, rather than shrinks, when more friends join the family. Parents will appreciate that the conflict resolves warmly without any heavy-handed moralizing, and the whole book runs just over 500 words, so it's quick enough for a bedtime story on busy nights. If you like this mix of relatable emotion and playful art, you'll probably also enjoy Corduroy, another tale of a beloved toy navigating change.