The missing sound

PreS-Gr 2--In the popular Encanto movie, Mirabel Madrigal's cousin Dolores has the magical power of keen hearing. One morning, Dolores awakes to the usual sounds of coffee brewing, birds flying, kids playing, and cousins working. But her power tells her that there is a sound missing in the Encanto. After seeking the counsel of her mom and abuela, Dolores sets out into the village to locate the missing sound. As it turns out, neighbor Don Osvaldo has an egg-bound chicken not clucking as she normally would. Thanks to Dolores and the magical Madrigals, the sick chicken is mended and the Encanto's balance is restored. This early reader's sentence structure is short and the vocabulary is varied, aligning with the publisher's description of a Level 2 reader's independence and achievement goals. Young Encanto fans will be enticed by the worldbuilding of the enchanted Colombian town from a supporting character's perspective. VERDICT A recommended purchase for most early reader collections.--Sarah Simpson