Ling and Ting look alike and sound alike (and sometimes even dress alike) but they are not exactly the same, in spite of the world claiming the contrary. Six very short stories tell tales about these twin girls. Grace Lin has given us Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!, a book in the same vein as your Frog & Toad or Amelia Bedelia tales. Past success is no indication of future talent. When I heard that author Grace Lin, master of the novel, the early chapter book, and the picture book, was trying her hand at the easy reader format I was concerned. Some authors whip them out so easily it shocks the senses (see: Mo Willems’ Elephant & Piggy books). Easy books (I should say GOOD easy books) are an acquired talent. Harder than a child-friendly mystery series. Harder than asking them to write a romantic vampire novel. I am personally convinced that this is probably the most difficult thing you can ask an author to do. Now ask them to create a good easy-to-read book for children. Sit them down in a comfortable chair in front of a table. Simply hand them a piece of paper and a pencil. If you want to gauge the merit of a children’s author it’s easy as pie.
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