It seems that everyone Jeremy Bean knows collects something, and when his teacher invites the kids in his class to bring in their collections to share, Jeremy is stumped—what can he show? Astute readers may realize even before Jeremy does that he’s a natural collector of stories in the satisfying conclusion to the first of three appealing, episodic stories in this chapter book for independent readers. “Jeremy Bean’s Collection” and “Jeremy Bean’s Dust Bunny” (in which his imagination runs wild and the rabbit beneath his bed looms ever larger in his mind) are both new Jeremy Bean stories while “Jeremy Bean’s St. Patrick’s Day” was originally published in 1987. The St. Patrick’s Day offering, in which Jeremy’s entire school is celebrating the day, feels somewhat dated, but overall the storytelling is fresh and funny in a book featuring occasional black-and-white illustrations. (Ages 6–8)

Jeremy Bean has a problem. Several, in fact. But a kid like Jeremy Bean can come up with some pretty unusual solutions, such as putting a bug in his pocket, wearing a lamp shade on his head, hiding in the school janitor's closet, and collecting everyone's shoes. If you're looking for adventure with a laugh along the way, meet Jeremy Bean!