In Chizzy's Topsy Tale, whimsical rhymes speed Chizzy and Dotty into the jungle on a whirlwind search for tempting fruit. Kevin Scott Collier illustrates Chizzy's rollicking escapades with a deft and humorous touch. Solid values, like helping a friend in need and minding Momma, make Chizzy's Topsy Tale a wonderful read-aloud choice. Suggested age for readers: 2-6.

This charming picture book story told in rhyming text again teams up author Donna J. Shepherd with Illustrator Kevin Scott Collier. Together, they have created another compelling book for all young readers.

Chizzy the Monkey was just tucked in bed by his mother when Dotty the Hippo calls to him and asks him to hunt for a fruit treat with her. Along the way, Dotty gets them lost in the woods. The meet a lion cub who is scared of them and they are scared that the cub's mother might return. They tell the cub they are lost, and he points them in the right direction. They stop their snack search to help a baby elephant out of the mud. They continue on and find their fruit treat and start eating it when Chizzy worries that his mother will be quite upset when she discovers that he isn't in his bed. Do they make it home in time before Chizzy's mother discovers him missing? You'll just have to read this cute book to find out what happens next!

The superb text by Donna Shepherd and colorful kid-friendly illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier make this book a "must have" for the younger set. It gives young children the message that they should help out their friends and to also be aware that parents worry about them. I give this book a high five for the cute storyline, the perfect rhyming text and the wonderfully colorful and kid-friendly illustrations.

Reviewed by V.S. Grenier for Stories for Children Magazine