Staff Favorites: Katie Woo

Looking for a lighthearted book series for your early reader? Check out the Katie Woo books! These books feature friendly, colorful illustrations, and there are several spin-off series as well as the original books. Follow Katie’s adventures as she and her friends learn about the world around them. The author, Fran Manushkin, has written an enormous number of books. Her first book came out in 1972, and she’s still going strong! On her website you can see her great-niece who inspired the character of Katie Woo.

In a typical book, Katie Woo, Where Are You?, Katie finds a missing boy at the store but somehow she goes missing too!

Kids who like writing will enjoy the series Katie Woo, Star Writer. The books in this series show readers how to write in different formats, including journals, letters and poems! Check out Sincerely, Katie: Writing a Letter with Katie Woo; It Doesn’t Need to Rhyme, Katie: Writing a Poem with Katie Woo; and What’s In Your Heart, Katie?: Writing In a Journal With Katie Woo.

Already read all of the Katie books? Check out the spin-off series about Katie’s friend Pedro and his everyday adventures. For example, he goes hiking with his dad, feels a little worried about sledding down a high hill, and tries to learn ninja moves.

Most recently the Katie Woo books have expanded into the Katie Woo’s Neighborhood series, which feature all kinds of interesting people and situations. Katie prepares for a big storm, visits the community garden, bakery, and dentist, and interacts with the friendly mail carrier and paramedic. She even meets the Mayor!

Katie’s neighborhood is the kind of friendly and diverse place where any kid can feel safe, valued, and at home.

You’ll find these books in the Early Reader section of the Children’s Room, but ask any staff member if you’d like help finding them!