Speedy Phoebe & the Wheely Great Friendship by Ryanne Siddiq is a story about Phoebe and McKayla's friendship. This remarkable pair of carlettes enjoys dancing and is very pleased to participate in their elementary school's dance competition. After some practice, they proudly show Phoebe's father their winning choreography. However, McKayla isn't as happy as she should be because she doesn't have a nice set of wheels. Following Phoebe's father's advice, this wheely wonderful team begins striving to fulfill McKayla's ambition. From cleaning a dirty garage to handling Mrs. Beetle's groceries, these buddies eventually save enough money to make the purchase. Fate has other intentions, however, and when an unexpected event occurs, McKayla's decision alters everything. This picture book teaches the value of friendship and hard effort.

Speedy Phoebe and the Wheely Great Friendship will undoubtedly captivate readers with familiar characters and circumstances. Ryanne Siddiq does an excellent job of showing her characters as relatable and easy to understand. I liked how genuine McKayla's character is, as well as her generosity and willingness to aid her friend. I truly also appreciated Ekaterina Buinovskaia's artwork which adds to the story with brilliant colors and emotive figures. There are some interactive tasks at the end of the book, which I found enjoyable and a great group activity. This book also teaches valuable lessons about friendship, hard effort, and altruism, making it ideal for reading with children. I would suggest this book to any parent who values these topics.

Phoebe and McKayla are carlettes. Even better, they’re best friends and they’re on a mission. Well, more than just one mission. Their first mission is to create an awesome wheely dance routine for the Carson Elementary School dance challenge. In Ryanne Siddiq’s Speedy Phoebe and the Wheely Great Friendship, even though the two young carlettes are having a great time working on their dance routine, including lots of giggles, McKayla is sad. She wants new tires, but her parents won’t buy them. When Phoebe’s dad suggests they do a few odd jobs and earn the money for the tires, the two carlettes are off on their next mission. After a day of doing odd jobs, they have enough money for McKayla’s new tires. Only, on the way to purchase them, something happens, and their plans change. Will true friendship show its colors?

Ryanne Siddiq’s picture book, Speedy Phoebe and the Wheely Great Friendship, is the second book in the Carson Elementary Story series. As the title suggests, it’s all about friendship. Phoebe sums it up aptly with: “I’m glad I have a wheely great friend like you.” It’s more than about a great friendship, though; it’s also about what it really means to be a friend as well as to have a friend. Phoebe’s dad says: “It’s wonderful to see you support each other in good times and bad!” The main characters are carlettes who are young, energetic, fun-loving students. The language is simple so young readers can easily follow along and improve their reading skills. The illustrations by Ekaterina Buinovskaia are bright, colorful, and full of fun and energy, helping the action move forward. This is a very positive, upbeat story, full of compassion, generosity, and the importance of friendship. I loved it.