Lulu Bell and the Fairy Penguin by Belinda Murrell

Ill. by Serena Geddes. Random House Australia. ISBN 9781742758787.
In this adventure, the Bell family are at the beach when a runaway dog chases a fairy penguin. Luckily, Lulu can call on the expert help of her father who is a vet, and the encounter inspires a community project designed to help people look out for and look after the penguins. And penguins aren't her only problem - where is Pickles the cat, due to give birth at any time?
This is a refreshing series of stories about characters the readers can relate to, particularly Lulu as the strong, sensible level-headed lead. Each story is well-written, based on everyday events that only the most accomplished can turn into an engaging story and accompanied by charming illustrations by Serena Geddes who had six years experience with Walt Disney Studios in Sydney before turning to book illustrating. Miss 7 and I read it and Lulu Bell and the birthday unicorn over the holidays and she is eagerly looking forward to the next instalments - Lulu Bell and the Cubby Fort and Lulu Bell and the Moon Dragon..
Barbara Braxton