Box car racers by Meredith Costain

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Illus: by Danielle McDonald. Olivia's Secret Scribbles, book 6. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760660031.
(Age: 5-8) Recommended. Themes: Friendship; Competitions; Recycling. Recycling week at school gives opportunity for Olivia and her classmates to show incredible creativity to make constructions out of boxes. Olivia and her best friend Matilda create box cars which leads to a further contest and a class 'car' race. The excitement of the challenge influences everyone - including the teachers.
Written in the style of a personal journal with illustrations in a very naive style with splashes of a single colour, this series immediately appeals to young female readers. Every young reader will recognise the friendship dilemmas, the interpersonal friendly rivalry, the family interactions between Olivia and her older sister Ella and the joys of a simple life!
Carolyn Hull

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