Cody and the Fountain of Happiness

Secondary characters are fully fleshed, allowing for a deep, satisfying reading experience for children ready for longer books. Cody is sure to make friends with many readers, who will cross their fingers and hope for further adventures.—Kirkus ReviewsEvery First Day of Summer should start with Cody. Whether communing with ants, spouting science, or curing a case of the whim-whams, Cody’s story is witty, heartwarming, and wise.—Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody and Stink seriesCody is perfectly charming and charmingly imperfect! I’m already hoping for more.—Sara Pennypacker, author of the Clementine seriesEvery once in a while, a book comes along that has tremendous heart, wit, and a voice so original and full of pure charm that it practically sings. This is such a book, and Cody is such a girl.—Shawn K. Stout, author of the Penelope Crumb seriesCody’s heartfelt intentions do not always yield the expected results, but that’s precisely the pleasure in this sweet story that celebrates friendship and community connections. Set in a multiethnic neighborhood and featuring a biracial, Hispanic family, this will be a great fit for libraries looking to strengthen the diversity of their collections.—BooklistSpringstubb’s (Moonpenny Island) multicultural neighborhood comes to life nicely through Wheeler’s ink-and-watercolor illustrations…. Wise advice (“First days are always hard. But everything will work out”) and vibrant imagery (“Search back through the mists of time, and you would not find a shoe salesperson who worked as hard as Mom”) round out this pleasing tale of friendship and family.—Publishers WeeklyCody’s lively voice and keen observational skills build an involving story line out of the seeming simplicity of a vacation spent at home. Wheeler’s stylish spot illustrations throughout suggest a diverse cast in this suburban setting.—Horn BookWheeler’s monochromatic ink and watercolor illustrations add warmth and detail to the middle-grade-friendly text and its multicultural cast. Fans of Cleary’s classic Ramona series or McDonald’s Judy Moody titles may especially enjoy creative-minded Cody.—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s BooksCody’s rosy outlook, Springstubb’s fresh and imaginative writing, and Wheeler’s whimsical pen-and-ink illustrations make a winning combination.—School Library ConnectionArtfully drawn sketches.—School Library Journal

Tricia Springstubb has been a teacher and a children’s librarian. “What Happened on Fox Street”, her previous novel, is the first book about Mo Wren and her family. Tricia is the mother of three daughters and lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.