ISLAND TREASURE

A travel-loving puppy looks for treasure on an island in New Zealand in Bender’s illustrated children’s series entry.

In previous chapter books in this appealing series for early readers, floppy-eared pup Lindie Lou visited Seattle’s Space Needle in Up in Space (2016), an organic farm in Iowa in Harvest Time (2017), and New York City in Big City Magic( 2020), and she accompanied scientists to the Arctic in On Ice (2021). Here, the inquisitive and confident Lindie Lou and her human caretaker, Kate, travel from Seattle to a beach house in Mercury Bay, New Zealand, joining other adults, their children, and one of Lindie Lou’s sisters, the timid Diamond. (In each book, Lindie Lou encounters one or more of her litter mates and their adoptive families.) As the title suggests, Lindie Lou, Diamond, and the kids go on a pretend treasure hunt, then embark on a real one when they hear that a local diver has lost a traditional family heirloom—a carved, greenstone hei tiki. The main characters make a new friend: a little girl named Lilly who has an aversion to the feel of sand and a need to have things just so. The other children and the pups accept her differences and celebrate with her when she contributes to their treasure hunt. The author doesn’t deviate from the series’ successful formula: a real-life, site-specific setting; a simple plot with a dash of mild suspense; and, to wind things up, “Fun Facts,” a reading comprehension quiz, and more. Here, Lindie Lou effectively encourages Diamond to overcome her lack of confidence and fear of the unfamiliar. The action is interspersed with informative tidbits about the location, historic events, and the culture of the region (including a portrayal of a traditional Māori haka dance. Some words and phrases are set apart from the clear, large typeface by different colors, letter sizes, and positions, which will add to visual fun for young readers. Again, illustrator Willows enhances the story with expressive, watercolor-style cartoon images of the various characters.

A winning mix of light storytelling, travelogue, and character-building messages of kindness and inclusion.