The sixth easy reader about best friends Iris and Walter has the same warmth and candor as the earlier titles. Walter's cousin Howie comes to visit. He's mean to Iris, who feels left out. Does she have to do everything with us? Howie whispers to Walter, and Iris hears him. As always, Iris' family is there for her, not only comforting her when she's hurt but also reassuring her that it's okay to dislike the mean visitor. The relaxed dialogue brings the daily drama up close, and the body language in the watercolor-splashed pen-and-ink illustrations expresses the kids' hostility, uneasiness, and joyful reunion.

In their sixth book, Iris and Walter have high hopes for Walter's favorite cousin Howie's upcoming visit. When Howie isn't very nice to Iris, the two best friends are distressed, but Iris's sympathetic family assures her Howie's behavior needn't affect her friendship with Walter. Guest's story rings true, and the illustrations deftly mirror the characters' changing emotions.

Gr 1-3-Another installment in a popular series for beginning readers. Both Iris and Walter are eagerly awaiting Walter's cousin Howie's visit. But when the boy arrives, Iris feels left out. With help from her supportive family and an apologetic Walter, she realizes that their friendship is not threatened. Walter's conflicting feelings about his cousin and his reaction to Iris are clear in his facial expressions. The anticipation of the visit presents an interesting foil to the real Howie, who is not particularly friendly. Both the story and dialogue ring true and clearly capture the characters' feelings, while Davenier's pen-and-ink drawings add just the right amount of energy. A good choice for collections in which the other titles are popular and for children looking for an easy-to-read story about friendship.-Ellen M. Riordan, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.