Ivy Lost and Found

August 9, 2021
In this early chapter book series starter, Newbery Honoree Lord (the Shelter Pet Squad series) introduces the Book Buddies, a collection of playthings that live at a public library and can be checked out for two-week intervals. Ivy, a brown-skinned doll with black braids, is the forgotten favorite childhood toy of children’s librarian Anne; after Anne rediscovers Ivy in a box, the doll becomes the newest Book Buddy. When eight-year-old Fern, depicted as brown-skinned and curly-haired in gentle art by Graegin (Little Fox in the Forest), reluctantly borrows Ivy to appease her younger white stepsister Sophie, Ivy finds courage in new friendships with Fern and her fellow Book Buddies, all while helping Fern voice her own complicated feelings about her place in her blended family. B&w sketchlike illustrations in Graegin’s signature style lighten the tone of a story that touches on fears of loss and abandonment. Humorous, lively conversations between the Book Buddies—who include a sparkly, pink-tailed, deep-voiced unicorn (“Dazzle is a boy”) and Roger, a chick whose adventures include falling into a (clean) toilet and narrowly avoiding being buried by a dog—offer the promise of happy borrowings ahead. Ages 6–9. Author’s agent: Tracey Adams, Adams Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

August 15, 2021
In this series opener, a long-forgotten doll is dismayed to find herself repurposed as a library toy for children to check out. Ivy, a brown-skinned doll with dark bangs and braids, misses Anne, the brown-skinned girl who once played with her, made her clothes, and whispered secrets. Years later, Anne, now a librarian, rediscovers Ivy and makes her a Book Buddy. Ivy, who just wants Anne to play with her again, is hurt to hear Anne call her "my old doll." The stuffed-animal Book Buddies welcome Ivy--but not Lilyanna, a blond, White princess doll and proto-mean girl who snubs Ivy as a "hand-me-down toy." (The polite term, a motherly hen says, is "well loved.") A little girl named Sophie, 6, borrows Lilyanna, pressuring her 8-year-old stepsister, Fern, into checking out Ivy; Sophie's little brother, Ethan, 4, chooses Piper, a flying squirrel. Like Ivy, Fern is distressed. Longing for time alone with her dad during her short visits and less time with her younger stepsiblings, she confides in Ivy, who listens eagerly. A mild adventure in the backyard offers opportunities for the toys to get to know one another and for Fern to work on her place in her dad's new family. Like the story, the charmingly retro illustrations honor the genre's antecedents, from Rumer Godden's sentient dolls to the Toy Story franchise. Fern and her father both have brown skin and dark, tightly curled hair; Sophie, Ethan, and their mom all present White. A beguiling series opener that gently conveys the upside of adapting to unwelcome changes. (Fantasy. 5-8)

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Starred review from September 1, 2021
Grades 2-4 *Starred Review* Ivy, a doll, remembers Anne as a little girl who played with her and shared her childhood secrets and dreams. Years later, Anne retrieves her beloved doll from the attic and takes her to the library where she works. Ivy joins Book Buddies, a small, select group of stuffed animals and dolls that children can check out and take home. Though intrigued by tales of the other toys' adventures, Ivy is timid. Fern, a child visiting her divorced dad's new home and family, borrows Ivy, who becomes the girl's confidant as she struggles to adjust to an unfamiliar household. Meanwhile, Ivy begins to understand how exciting and rewarding her new role can be. In the first volume of the Book Buddies series, Lord introduces Ivy's backstory, the series setup, and the names and personalities of the dolls and stuffed animals, while creating an engaging story of insecurity overcome by hope, courage, and love. The doll's adventures are as vivid as a child might imagine them in play. Avoiding undue sentimentality, both the simply written narrative and the pleasing artwork convey heartfelt emotions with honesty and subtlety. Graegin's lively, softly shaded drawings appear on most of the double-page spreads. A beguiling debut for this transitional chapter-book series.

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