Five Stories

Sprout Street Neighbors #1

by Anna Alter

In the tradition of classics such as The Wind in the Willows and Winnie-the-Pooh comes Anna Alter’s first chapter book.
 
Henry, Violet, Emma, Wilbur, and Fernando are neighbors in the same apartment building and they are also friends—though they have very different personalities and interests. Henry prefers peace and quiet, and poetry. Violet spends hours knitting and practicing her flute. Emma loves planning birthday parties. Wilbur would be happy to spend all day in his garden. And Fernando is just a little bit shy, but has a secret talent for the stage.
 
Sharing walls with your neighbor can sometimes bring the unexpected, but in the end, these five work together to overcome their differences.

Genres: Chapter Books, Animals, Juvenile, Childrens, Friendship

112 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 2015

About the author

Hello!

Thanks for visiting me on goodreads.

Please visit my web site or blog to learn more about my work!

Cheers,
Anna

Reviews

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable little book for children ages 6-9 consists of 5 short stories celebrating friendship and mutual support between neighbors. It's a real treat! The stories are very positive and meaningful, and each page is filled with cute black-and-white illustrations - some smaller than others, but all quirky and fun to look at.



Sprout Street Neighbors is about 5 neighbors, who are also close friends. Here we have Fernando (the shy rabbit in thick black-framed glasses), Violet (the artsy and crafty duck), Emma (the fun-loving squirrel), Wilbur (the garden-tending cat) and Henry (the peaceful and stoic mouse). They make a very eclectic bunch, and though they're very different from one another, they get along just fine. I love how they always support each other and offer a helping hand to one another. No problem is too difficult for them to handle, not when they brainstorm together!



This little book is full of entertaining situations that will bring a smile to your child's face. At the same time, these stories will teach your child about the importance of helping others, being understanding and patient, supporting creativity of your friends, or simply being polite and friendly. These are some important messages and I'm happy to have a book such as this one on my child's bookshelf. My daughter will learn from it while having fun adventures with her cute animal friends - what better way to educate your kid!

I hope the author will write more of Sprout Street Neighbors books, I'd love to see this being turned into a series. I will definitely be collecting of all them!

[Chloe M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOOO cute. I’ve already ordered the second book.
This was such an adorable collection of stories and they were all so sweet. It’s about these five neighbors who are all great friends with each other and the whole book is just so happy.
Sometimes it’s exactly what I need to sit down and read a sweet, cozy children’s book to my little sister.
10/10 recommend.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.

In five illustrated episodes, this new beginning chapter book introduces the residents of the apartment building at 24 Sprout Street. Readers meet introverted mouse Henry, sweet squirrel Emma, self-conscious rabbit Fernando, artistic chicken Violet, and nature-loving cat Wilbur. Each story places one of these characters at the center of a problem which the other neighbors help to resolve using their unique skills and their empathy for one another's difficulties.

This is an ideal book about friendship for both preschool and early elementary audiences. For younger kids, it is an engaging read-aloud, filled with lots of interesting personalities that come to life through lively dialogue. For newly independent readers, it presents some challenging vocabulary (bougainvillea, marzipan, papier-mache, stupendous, enormous, etc.), but overall, it is a great bridge book between easy readers and novels, especially for kids who have enjoyed and outgrown series like High Rise Private Eyes, Poppleton, Frog and Toad, and Oliver and Amanda Pig. For both age groups, it provides insight into how to be a true friend in times of trouble, and it demonstrates the way in which each member of a community is able to contribute something to the greater good.

Few beginning chapter books are set in apartment buildings, so it is great to see something new and different, and the setting and format of the book work well together to help readers feel the neighborly camaraderie that exists among the characters. The inclusion of common household problems, such as leaks and noisy neighbors, also engages kids' interest in the happenings of the grown-up world and might even spark a connection between the story and something that has happened in their own homes. For urban kids, especially, it will be neat to see their own living arrangements mirrored in the lives of these animals.

The Sprout Street Neighbors will appeal to parents seeking wholesome reading material for their young readers, as well as to kids, who will fall in love with the characters and eagerly enjoy their funny, surprising, and touching adventures. This book is only the first of what will hopefully become a sizable and beloved series.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

First review from May 2016: Oh my! This little book about all the animal neighbors living at 24 Sprout Street couldn't be more cute. Perfect for the first grade early chapter book reader. Move way over Magic Tree House!

Second review from January 2017: Just as delightful on the second reading--we're reading this book at the library for our monthly Whiz Kid's Junior Book Club. We'll be making a giant birthday cake, doing some gardening and eating some delicious chocolate chip cookies. I can't wait!

[Brooke Van]

I chose this book because it is all about getting along with people even when they annoy you. I think that needs to be taught in a classroom because sometimes that will happen, but hopefully after reading this book they will know how to handle it better.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gentle, episodic chapter book is perfect for kids who enjoy the friendship stories of Frog & Toad or Henry & Mudge but are ready to move up into transitional chapter books.

[Emueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet and gentle. Perfect for reading aloud while snuggling on the couch with your little ones. My child enjoyed reading these early on when he was still wary of too much action or peril in his books. Beautiful, evocative prose, which is so refreshing for a chapter book meant for beginning readers. Truly a delight.

[Heather Gunnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who likes animal stories will enjoy this collection of short tales all about a group of neighbors who live together in an apartment building. The stories about these charming critters will make you want to move right in.

[Mary T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my 6yo and 5yo boys. They weren't as into it as they had for other similar books. I wasn't into it, either. Couldn't keep the characters straight, and some of the stories weren't all that interesting.

[Joy Lane]

AR 4.4 and 1.0 pts
Looks like Early Chapter level (read alike Winnie the Pooh)

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful collection of stories about a group of animal friends living in an apartment building.

[Jia Hu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and warm little stories. For my kids bedtime story❤️

[Merrill Helms]

cuteness for kids

[Liz Clauder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very gentle read and so incredibly adorable. The neighbors who live together in an apartment building are friendly to each other and respect each other’s differences. They talk often, work out problems, and encourage and support each other’s interests. Fernando shares his secret love of dancing with Violet when he finds out how much she loves playing the flute. Her encouragement helps him overcome his fear and inexperience with dance, and her flute playing helps him continue dancing in the parade when he has fearful moments. When Wilbur finds out that his garden plot was purchased by a grocery store that plans to build a new location, his friends pick up on his sadness and figure out a way to save his garden – by moving it to the rooftop of their apartment building.

There is nothing remotely objectionable about this book, other than it might be a little too sweet for some kids who may enjoy books with more action or suspense. Each chapter is a separate story about each character. The black and white illustrations add to the stories and create fuller characters.

I would recommend this for kids in/around 2nd grade.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alter has created an adorable new series that revolves around the lives of five animal neighbors: Emma (squirrel), Wilbur (cat), Henry (mouse), Violet (duck), and Fernando (rabbit). Each chapter focuses on one of the characters and a problem he/she needs to solve. I liked the fact that none of the problems was big and heart-breaking. All the problems relate to every day sorts of irritations and concerns, things such as Emma worrying about having a great birthday party, Henry's irritated with the noise coming from the apartment above him. Thankfully each character finds a solution to his/her problem, usually with the help of the neighbors. This sort of book works well for students who don't enjoy scary stories or get anxious when they read anything too intense. Stories like this are realistic (other than the animal characters) and provide what I like to call comfort reading. These stories are just sweet and homey.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five friends living in the same apartment building have to find a way to accept each other’s differences and still enjoy each other’s company. Each of the five chapters is dedicated to the story of one of the five friends, with at least a cameo appearance of each of the other four neighbors. The stories all have an element of humor and some seriousness to them. And in the end, you feel like you know a little bit about each of the neighbors living in the apartment building. http://julianaleewriter.com/the-cybil...

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sprout Street Neighbors introduces Violet, who loves to knit and plays the flute, Henry, who writes poems and enjoys quiet, Emma, who loves parties, Wilbur, who has a fantastic garden, and Fernando, who is shy but longs to dance. The five neighbors get along and each has a chapter in the book with an adventure that involves his/her friends. A sweet, imaginative tale for early chapter book readers.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this sweet beginning chapter book 3 and a half stars.

The book consists of five short stories about the five friends who live in the same apartment building on 24 Sprout Street: quiet mouse Henry, nature loving cat Wilbur, fun and whimsical squirrel Emma, talented and crafty duck Violet, and thoughtful rabbit Fernando.

I recommend this for those ending first grade through third grade.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sprout Street is home to a variety of anthropomorphic furry creatures. Cat, bunny, mouse, squirrel and chicken all coexist in mostly happy harmony. The stories focus on their interactions as neighbors and friends. They sometimes are annoyed with one another and they sometimes help each other. This is a cute little chapter book for beginning chapter book readers.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book. Each chapter is a short story featuring one of the residents of the small apartment house. Each one is very different, but all show kindness, helpfulness and encouragement to their neighbors. PreK-1.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely charming new series about five friends who live in the same building. Readers will find themselves relating to at least one of the characters- or a combination of them. These stories celebrate differences and friendship and working together in a super sweet way.

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review forthcoming.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet first chapter book for kids looking for a gentle read. Could work as a read aloud

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet early chapter book. I liked the creative problem solving. Cute.

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet early chapter book about animals who live in an apartment building and are friends. The illustrations are just darling!

[Susan Dunn · Rating 2 out of 5]

An apartment building where all the residents are animals sees them through a series of sweet adventures. Good neighbors are hard to find - unless you live on Sprout Street!

[Hillvan · Rating 3 out of 5]

650L

[Jeannie Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

24 Sprout Street is the residence of five very different neighbors, each with their own quirks. They are all fast friends and each is featured in a chapter of their own in this quaint set of five stories. Henry the mouse, Wilbur the cat, Emma the squirrel, Violet the sparrow, and Fernando the rabbit each face a different conundrum that only gets solved with the help of their neighbors. Reminiscent of Frog and Toad stories, Sprout Street is a gentle text for young chapter book readers who enjoy tales of friendship.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute collection of stories.

The stories were simple, but interesting. The stories focused on friendship and helping others.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick read, but very fun.