• Age: 6 to 10
• Grade: 1 to 5

Meet Bessie Lee! The Teeny Houdini chapter book series from author Katrina Moore and illustrator Zoe Si begins with a simply magical story. The adventures of Teeny Houdini come in short, easy-to-read chapters full of hilarious illustrations—a favorite series for building confident readers!

Bessie Lee might be the teeniest in her first-grade class, but with the tap-tap-tap of her wand, some glitter, and a little magic . . . she’s going to dazzle the crowds to win the school talent show.

But when a trick goes disastrously wrong, Rufus, the class hamster, disappears!

Can Bessie find a way to bring him back in time? Or is Rufus truly gone forever?

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!

Katrina Moore is the author of the Teeny Houdini chapter book series, and the picture books, Chang’e on the Moon, The Star In You, One Hug, Hope Is A Hop, Sometimes Love, Grandpa Grumps, Grumpy New Year, and more. She grew up in the suburbs of Maryland with her big Chinese American family. Katrina lives in Georgia with her husband, children, and dogs, where she writes and adventures by day, and gazes at the moon and stars by night. Connect with her at www.katrinamoorebooks.com.

Katrina Moore's profile page

Zoe Si is a cartoonist and illustrator who has illustrated a number of children’s books and is a regular contributor of cartoons and humor pieces to the New Yorker. She has a lifelong passion for laughing at her own jokes and is always looking for new ways to tell stories with her art. Zoe lives with her husband in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, where she also practiced law for several years. Visit her at www.zoe-si.com.

Zoe Si's profile page

"Short, episodic chapters move quickly alongside Si’s stylized illustrations of the protagonist’s ethnically inclusive community and domestic life, making Bessie Lee’s forthcoming exploits ones to look forward to." — Publishers Weekly

“Teeny Bessie is a big hit….with the flair of Junie B. Jones, playing the precocity card at every turn, while Si’s generous line illustrations glory in the physical mess and tested nerves that trail in Bessie’s wake. Carefully curated vocabulary and repetition make this early chapter book an accessible step-up from easy readers.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Bright and funny…[will] keep burgeoning readers engaged and entertained. Bessie Lee is a hilarious, delightfully imperfect narrator, and the family dynamics are kind and true. Proof that the smallest stature can contain a huge imagination and an even bigger heart.” — Booklist

Praise for One Hug “The excitement is catching, and readers would need hearts of stone not to moved by the family togetherness on display. By the end, readers will be searching out hugs of their own. The book amply demonstrates that ‘hugging makes us family.’” — Kirkus Reviews

“The simple rhyming text describes the many ways loved ones may hug. Although the text focuses on different kinds of hugs, the overall story manages to dig deeper into the many facets of love, affection, and what makes a family. An enjoyable read-aloud to be shared one-on-one or in a small group setting. Recommended.” — School Library Journal

"In a story that celebrates family, one unique hug at a time, One Hug shares the joy of a family being united... With vivid and energetic illustrations by Julia Woolf, and the rhythmic, rhyming of Katrina Moore’s words, readers will be caught up in the joy of a special celebration." — Manhattan Book Review