Dot is a ladybug ready to celebrate her birthday. She has four dots, and today she gets her fifth dot! In case you're wondering, she really likes dots! She enjoys having them in her surroundings and spotting new ones with friends. But today is her birthday, and no one is around. Where can her friends be? She spots mystery drippy dots on the ground. She follows the mysterious trail until it leads her to her friends. It's a surprise birthday party for sweet little Dot, and everything in it includes what she loves most: spots, dots, and her thoughtful friends. Kids just stepping into the first stages of reading will appreciate the simple rhyming text, common sight words, wordplay, and repetition as they spot the dots on every page. Coleman's soft and sweet illustrations enhance the story with context clues and offer the opportunity for caregivers to help new readers develop comprehension. A good pick for kids who are drawn to Elephant and Piggie books.

PreS-Gr 1— Dot the ladybug loves dots of all kinds: dot-to-dots, ice cream dots, polka dots. On her Dot Day, she is excited to celebrate turning five—and having five dots—with her best friends. When Dot sets off to find her friends, however, it turns out they are missing. She follows the dotty clues they leave behind, which lead to a sweet surprise! Young readers will love the optimistic, determined Dot and will enjoy following along on her dot-filled journey. The simple text with plenty of rhyming words paired with the vibrant and charming illustrations will be attractive to children who are just learning how to read. VERDICT George's entertaining new early reader is perfect for the classroom or any setting. Children, parents, and teachers will enjoy reading and sharing Dot's story.— Lauren White