Carpenter's Helper by Camille Garoche, Sybil Rosen
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on March 16, 2021
ISBN: 0593123204
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Renata is a young brown skinned girl, and she and her Papi are remodeling their bathroom. They’re just about to install windows when a wren flies through and builds a nest in the unfinished space. Papi and Renata watch as the wrens build the nest, incubate the eggs, and then rear the young chicks. Once the chicks have fledged, they know it’s safe to finish work on the bathroom. This is a tender story about compassion for all creatures. It is a wonderfully positive representation of a father/daughter relationship as well with no mention of another parent. The illustrations are colorful and full of little details that really help bring the story to life. This book is a welcome addition to most collections, recommended for readers 3 and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME