Dodo Gets Married (Anne Schwartz Books)

When an eccentric pink bird named Dodo wheedles her way into the life of a cranky retired helicopter captain who lost a leg in a rescue mission, readers might think feathers will fly. Instead, Dodo's obtuse friendliness and Captain Vince's unacknowledged loneliness make a magical connection, and soon the two are sharing sandwiches and stories. By summertime, Vince surprises Dodo with a very unusual proposal, and, true to form, she responds equally uniquely. Now, if only the wedding can go off without a hitch...

Readers familiar with Petra Mathers's charming trio of friends, introduced in Lottie's New Beach Towel, Lottie's New Friend, and A Cake for Herbie, will be elated to see a whole book devoted to the exotic Dodo. Mathers's beautiful watercolors, with their perfect palette and changing, telling details, are reason enough to fall in love with the book. Her sweet, funny story is icing on the (wedding) cake! (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter