I think I mentioned before that I read a LOT of children's books and YA: they tend to be quick reads (I can read younger age groups in a day, in bits and pieces) and they lack the angst and violence of many an adult book (well, YA has been moving into this realm for years now...but, I digress...)

I picked up Savanna's Treasure by C. Behrens and the black and white drawings were a standout (though the cover's in color). These black and white line drawings are by Kim Johnson and accents a story in some ways classic for children's books, covering a friendship between animals and people who discover that their unlikely association can change their world.

While the story line may be classic for a young audience, it's, in fact, a different approach because such tales are usually limited to the very simple picture book age group - and Savanna's Treasure is directed to those beyond the easy reader stage.

As with any read (but especially true in a children's book), it's the protagonists that capture attention - and C. Behrens does a fine job of creating personable creatures that are engaging and fun.

The 'glue' of any story is how its characters are depicted, how they react to one another, and how they bond: Savanna's Treasure is all about these connections and how they play out in the world, and this lends to a fine read that takes an adventure story format and weaves it into something far greater than simple entertainment. Kids with good reading skills (likely, in grades 2-4) will relish this enchanting saga.