Annie and her big brother Simon are siblings who get along really well—most of the time. Annie’s a big talker and a big dreamer. Her excitement for inventing hairstyles and special drinks is supported by the yapping of her happy dog, Hazel. Simon is a patient young man who strums his guitar as well as he steers a canoe. His adoration of Annie is evident in the special outings he plans and in the unconditional love he offers when Annie makes a mess of things. Readers making the bridge to chapter books will appreciate the four stories included in Annie and Simon for their quiet humor, lovely watercolor illustrations, and engaging plots. (Ages 5–7)

Little sister, big big brother, and (mostly) good friends — Annie and Simon are back in a second wry and warmhearted early chapter book.

Annie loves to draw and fill sheets of paper with the things she sees around her. But if Simon has trouble figuring out what her scribbles show, what’s a big brother to do? And when Annie squeezes Hazel the dog to make her purr, can Simon help it if it sounds more like grumbling? Hazel is very useful in finding Annie’s stolen chestnuts, but it’s Simon who gently persuades his little sister that the bushytailed suspects might need them back. Whether her problems are big or small, Annie knows she can count on Simon to help her solve them. When Simon himself starts to sneeze, Annie finally sees her chance to take on the helper role as only she can — with chatty zeal and haphazard determination.