School’s just about out for the summer – but that doesn’t mean the learning needs to stop! Reading is my family’s favorite way to keep on learning through the summer months – and Jason Tharp’s new Peachy and Keen series is a fun way to keep kids excited about school throughout the summer!
Peachy and Keen’s Spirit Week Showdown is the second book in the brand-new series, and presents a whole new adventure and challenge for the duo. As its name suggests, this book happens during spirit week at Happy Tails School, and pits the friends against each other in competition for the school’s official vlog.
Peachy and Keen each team up with friends – Gertie the Unicorn and Connie the Octopus, respectively – for this competition, which gets a little out of hand…
In Spirit Week Showdown, Peachy and Keen’s get so wrapped up in the competition that they lose sight of what’s really important: their friendship. However, the two come together for a “hap-pie ending” that reminds kids that friends are always more important than contests.
As with the first book in the series, expect lots of fun wordplay, vivid illustrations and age-appropriate humor. My seven year old was laughing out loud at various points, and I found myself chuckling, too. But at the end of the day, the lessons about friendship and friendly competition are what stand out most, and Peachy and Keen’s friendship is a relatable and positive example for kids.
After reading Spirit Week Showdown, Julian was very inspired by Tharp’s illustrations, and happily, the Scholastic website features step-by-step drawing tutorials by the amazing author/illustrator himself! Keen’s Creation Station is a must for little artists, and Tharp’s enthusiasm and excitement in the video is contagious. In fact, there are lots of interactive activities on the website, which make for a fun treat once your reader has finished the book.
Peachy and Keen is readily available on Amazon — and my library has both books on its “new release” shelf. If Peachy and Keen isn’t yet available at your library, definitely request it — this is a series that will keep your kids in the school spirit all summer long!
Be sure to check out our Summer Reading Guide and sign up for your local library’s program!