The Super-Secret Valentine

Teeny Houdini #2

by Katrina Moore, Zoe Si (Illustrator)

Bessie Lee goes all out for Valentine's Day in the second book of the Teeny Houdini chapter book series from author Katrina Moore and illustrator Zoe Si. The adventures of Teeny Houdini come in short, easy-to-read chapters full of hilarious illustrations--a favorite series for building confident readers!

Bessie is in charge of making an extra-special valentine for the new kid in school. Something big and wonderful to make him feel welcome!

Bessie's plan includes glitter, tape, plus a little extra magic to make this a Valentine's Day no one will forget.

Teeny Houdini, also known as Bessie Lee, is an overly excited, mischievous first grader who bounces off the walls--and off the page--with her volume, enthusiasm, and grand ideas, which are just too big for her tiny frame. Bessie's multigenerational Chinese American family is the warm center of the stories, from exasperated but loving big sister Bailey to the always encouraging and understanding Gramma.

Kid-friendly and engaging, the Teeny Houdini series is a good fit for early chapter book readers. And as a bonus, kids learn the real and simple steps to a different magic trick in each book!

128 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2022

About the author

Katrina Moore is an author and former elementary educator. She holds a M.A. in Teaching and taught for thirteen years in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. She writes in Georgia, where her mission is to create books that children will hug for ages. When she is not writing, she is cooking without a recipe, painting outside the lines, adventuring, or snuggling up with her two kids, husband, pups, and of course, a cozy book.

Reviews

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is a cute book about Valentine's Day in the first grade class. Bessie really wants to make a huge valentine for the new kid, Jae, but it kind of blows up in her face. I love how she just wants to make him feel loved and welcomed. Sweet girl, just a little confused.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Squirt! I squeeze a big glob of glue onto my Valentine's Day box. Then I pour a million gazillion rainbow sparkles on the glue glob.

Premise/plot: Bessie Lee (aka our lovable teeny Houdini) is looking forward to celebrating Valentine's Day with her classmates, well, most of them. And this year the class will have a secret valentine. Every student will give/receive an extra valentine. Bessie will be making a super-secret valentine for the new student, Jae, but he doesn't talk much...if at all...and she wants it to be extra-extra special. But her idea of extra-extra special, well, to be honest might be the stuff of nightmares. Can Bessie redeem a horrible Valentine's day???

My thoughts: I like the narration. I do. I don't love this one quite as much as book one. But it is good fun. I liked getting to spend more time with Bessie at home and school.

[Kaiden Adams]

Hmm. I liked this book because i think it shows you to welcome someone new to school, because there’s this person and he is new to the school, and he doesn’t talk at all. There’s this girl who tries to make him feel welcome and special and I think it’s a really good Valentine’s Day book. That is my review.