Lanie's Real Adventures (American Girl Today Series) by Jane Kurtz

This is a delightful American Girl book presenting a new character for 2010. Lanie is a balanced young lady who is fascinated with nature, and has a healthy relationship with members of her family. Suitable for young readers and especially those who enjoy the American Girl doll for 2010, Lanie.

My daughter is 5 and loves American Girl dolls. Historical stories go over her head a bit, but this one is perfect. Chapters are long enough to read before bed time, yet short enough for mom to last trough them. One some nights when she gets read 2 chapters she feels like she scored extra treat. Lanie is a wonderful character. She loves nature, science and learning. Your daughter can learn a lot from her about monarch/catepillars, birds and their churping, orangutans, bunnies etc. Lanie is a good sister, wonderful niece and great daughter. She is hungry for knowlege. She's awere of nature and preserving environment. The book is well written with lots of interesting details (Lanie's mom is an architect so their house has "bunny elevator" and each room has a balcony). It is funny in parts (my daughter loved that Lanie's bunny Lulu terrified neighbor's cat Ceasar). It is realistic in parts (Lanie being jelous that her best friend Dakota got to live a read adventure and take care of real orangutans). It is heartwarming, educational and so very wholesome. I love that Lanie planted her own garden (which didn't look that pretty, but will serve the purpose). I think that the best way for kids to learn about (healthy) food is to help grow it (organically preferably). Although Lanie is "green" kid, she's not preachy nor tree hugger. It comes naturally for her as it will for you and your daughter. I hope you two snuggle up and enjoy this wonderful book just as much as two of us did.