Clementine and the Family Meeting by Sara Pennypacker 162 pages 9781423123569

Newest in the cheerful Clementine series opens with Clementine obsessing about what she has done wrong to cause a Family Meeting. Her parents are mum, telling her to wait for the meeting. Surprisingly, the topic has nothing to do with her past misdeeds. Instead, her parents announce that there will be a new member of the family (and it is not going to be the baby gorilla that she would like to have). Clementine feels dejected, that her parents are not satisfied with the perfection of their family of four. Together the family come up with ways to prepare for the baby and reassure Clementine that she is an important member of the family. This is a great family to get to know. The dialog rings true and the day to day dramas are believable. The parents are loving, thoughtful and communicate well.