In the guinea pig pals' fourth book (Felix Stands Tall, et al.), cautious Felix steps out of his comfort zone again, here at a Chinese restaurant. Particular about food, Felix has "no need to try anything new." Cheered on along the way by Fiona, Felix eventually eats "twelve new things!" Wells's friendly illustrations gently portray Felix's concerns about the unfamiliar without allowing them to overwhelm the story.

As a birthday dinner at a restaurant approaches, Felix puts his trust in his best friend, Fiona, to guide him past his food neophobia.Every day, Felix brings the same sandwich to school for lunch: sprouts on buttered oat bread. It seems Fiona has a more robust appetite, chowing down on an enchilada with hot sauce. Throughout the day, Felix worries about Fiona's upcoming half-birthday sleepover, specifically dinner out at a restaurant. He would much rather have Fiona's mom's macaroni and cheese. Fiona keeps mentioning different unusual restaurants, filling his mind with imagined plates of unpleasantness. His anxiety increases as fish with staring eyes and open mouths, liver-enriched sausage, and flaming hot pans appear in his thought bubbles. At the restaurant, Fiona considerately orders a dish she thinks Felix will like: snow peas. He envisions a pile of ice cubes. Without disapproval or exaggeration, Wells quietly addresses the common discomfort of selective eating disorder and eases Felix through the situation with kindness. His journey to the other side is cause for celebration. As with the other titles in this tender series, Wells illustrates how a young person facing a problem can be comforted with the balm of friendship.Fans of these sweet guinea pigs will smile at another one of life's small victories. (Picture book. 5-8)

PreS-Gr 1 -Wells understands children, and in this latest entry in the series, she tackles the anxiety experienced by a picky eater. Felix and Fiona are sweet-looking, young, anthropomorphic guinea pigs who are best friends. Felix is quiet and is comforted by his routines, while Fiona enjoys the spicy side of life. Felix eats the same, simple sandwich everyday for lunchsprouts on buttered oat breadwhile Fiona chows down on an enchilada with hot sauce. She says to Felix, "it's time to widen your food horizons," but Felix has no interest in change. When he learns that the restaurant they will be going to for dinner to celebrate Fiona's half birthday does not serve any of his dinner favorites, he starts to worry. It is up to Fiona to order for him at the restaurant and help him overcome his aversion to trying new tastes. By the end of the meal, Fiona has introduced Felix to 12 new food items, and both of the friends bask in Felix's success. VERDICT This title will give hope to parents of a picky eater while showing children that, with the help of a friend, trying new foods, as well as new experiences, can be enjoyable.-Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough, CA