IRIS & WALTER AND COUSIN HOWIE

[Editor's Note: This is a combined review with IRIS AND WALTER: THE SLEEPOVER]--The books in the Iris and Walter series thoughtfully explore different facets of friendship and family life. IRIS AND WALTER AND COUSIN HOWIE addresses the shifting nature of friendship (focusing on that tricky moment when "three's a crowd"). THE SLEEPOVER captures the roller-coaster ride of a child's first night away from home (though Iris doesn't actually manage to stay the whole night, a decision that all adult characters are quite accepting about). Through each of these stories, Barbara McCulloh is particularly good at expressing Iris's varying emotions, and her well-paced, thoughtful voice provides good company for early readers. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 05]