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Iris and Walter and Cousin Howie
Elissa Haden Guest
Illustrated by Christine Davenier
Fiction (Series)
Ages 6 to 9
Harcourt, 2003, 0-15-205656-4
  Iris and her best friend Walter are very excited because Walter’s cousin Howie is coming to visit. Iris hopes that Howie will teach her some of the magic tricks that he knows and both children eagerly await the arrival of the visitor. When Howie at last arrives Iris quickly finds out that three can sometimes be an awkward number when it comes to playmates. Howie does not want to have Iris around and Walter cannot stop nine-year-old Howie from being unfriendly towards Iris. Not only does Howie not teach Iris his magic tricks but he makes no effort to include her in the boys’ games.
  Poor Iris is feeling very left out and angry. After all Walter is her best friend and it is not fair that she is being excluded. Thankfully Iris has a very kind and understanding family who comfort her as best they can. Howie won’t be around for long and maybe Iris and Walter can still be magicians even if Howie doesn’t teach him what he knows about magic.
  Any child who has been left out will quickly recognize what Iris is going through. Being one of three is often hard and children will be comforted to discover that other children go through the same problems that they do. Just like Iris, they too will be able to weather such hard times for they can know that their true friends and their family are always there for them.
 

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