Fixed by Camel - Jacquelyn Reinach

This is one of my favorite kids books in the series of the ''Sweet Pickle'' books. Sweet Pickles consists of 26 books, each letter of the alphabet is related to an animal and a character trait held by that animal. This group lives and works together in a beautifully drawn community setting. This series devotes characters to working together, resolving complicated issues and helping characters understand that they are unique and different from others. This series also surprisingly does not stereotype characters by sex.

The Camel is a female fix-it person, Smarty Stork is a male mail person, Yakety Yak is a male Yak who likes to talk and gossip, etc. In ''Fixed By Camel'', Clever Camel, is harassed by Kidding Kangaroo. Whenever Clever Camel attempts to repair things which is her area of specialty, the Kangaroo shows up, breaks something or messes it up and Camel is back to work again. Through this book, we follow Camel as she attempts to repair things from Main Street all the way around town. Kangaroo closes the man hole cover causing Camel to have to find an alternate route out of the sewer. I really appreciate the Camels creativity but feel it is lost to some extent on little kids. It does provide insight into seeking other alternative to problem situations, which gets it an extra plus from me. Each job Camel attempt to complete roof repair is botched when Kangaroo jokingly takes the ladder away, cement repairs, wet paint, the list continues until Camel decides she has had enough of Kangaroos joking. The harassment ends with Camel preparing a special trap for Kangaroo at the park to help him realize how disturbing his constant kidding is. Camel invents an elaborate trap using every day items that will hold Kangaroo until her work is done. Knowing Kangaroo's need to do what he is not supposed to, Camel puts up a sign that says not to ring the doorbell under any circumstances. This is the trigger to the trap! Kangaroo is held captive until the work is done, I thought it was a nice touch that Camel left milk and sandwiches inside the trap as a snack for Kangaroo!

For an afternoon of creativity, an opportunity to read with your little one and discuss uniqueness of people and places, this series will open pages of interest and inventiveness with unusual twists. In recognizing this author's (Jacquelyn Reinach) passion for writing unique books, I have to comment on the amazing artistry by her Illustrator, Richard Hefter. His work helps to develop these books into something much different than I have found in a diversity of other children's books. These get an A+ from me and the little ones I baby sit for!

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