PreS This is the story of Scoop, an ice cream cone with a scoop of pink ice cream on top, who is so busy starting new projects that she never finishes one. When Scoop arrives late for a surprise birthday party for the Cherry Twins (the stars of Sweet Competition , the first picture book by the Reeds), she realizes that her propensity to start projects without adequately following through keeps her from making a worthy birthday gift for her good friends. Scoop is so upset (she vows never to start anything ever again) that she accidentally blunders into a running race as she is leaving the party. Scoop surprises herself and finishes the race, boosting her confidence to go back and start and finish a new painting for the Cherry Twins. Scoop then goes on to recruit her friends to help her complete an unfinished gardening project. Like their first picture book creation, the Reeds use simply formed polymer clay to form the anthropomorphized food items that are the characters in the story. Children will enjoy these characters as well as the wordplay contained in the text; Scoop has to "split" from the party in order to avoid a "meltdown." VERDICT A brightly colored confection of a story that will remind children of the importance of friendship and finishing what they start. Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, CA