Thank you to Netgally for providing this advanced readers copy.

This early chapter book is great for fans of "Ivy and Bean" or "The Owl Diaries". Not only are the illustrations super cute and remind me of Winnie the Pooh, but they do a great job to push the story along. This story is all about friendships. You have the friendship of Sydney and Taylor who are best friends and slight outcast being a hedgehog and Skunk. You have the friendships formed with all the other animals in the area, these friendships seem non-existent at first, but after a crisis they really bond. Finally, you see the friendship with the woman who owns the house they have burrowed under. Not only is this an invisible friendship, but she saves them when they are in real trouble. Overall, I highly recommend this series for emerging readers.

I LOVE Sydney and Taylor! They are some of my new favorite children's book characters. This third entry in the series doesn't disappoint. Taylor continues to have Big Ideas; Sydney continues to support his friend. What I love most is how, in a market flooded with books addressing SEL issues, this story is all about how to make friends without slipping into being didactic. A great book to read aloud or for independent reading by 1st-3rd graders. I can't wait to get this whole series into the hands of readers!

This is the second book that I have read by Ms. Davies and I loved it!! My 7 year old grandson read it and loved it. The illustrations are detailed and really cute. The illustrator is Deborah Hocking and she is so talented and knows what kids like!

We especially loved the beginning of the book that showed the burrow that Sydney and Taylor lived in. There were 7 rooms including bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, etc. We loved looking at all of the little animal sized furniture, cookware, books, etc.

The two main characters are Sydney, a skunk, and Taylor, a hedgehog. They have been friends for as long as they can remember and live together in a burrow under the ground.

Sydney is more of a homebody and likes to do crossword puzzles and read. Taylor is creative and likes to make art projects and other things out of acorns. Taylor likes to take adventures in The Big Wide World!!!!

One day Taylor tells Sydney that he has a Big Idea!! “We should make friends!” said Taylor. Make friends?” asked Sydney. Why?” Taylor tells Sydney “They could have parties and picnics. They could even have dances in the Backyard under a bright full moon. It will be our biggest adventure yet!”

Sydney finally goes along with Taylor’s plan because they are best friends!

Without giving away all of the story I will tell you that they eventually make friends with a bat, a screw and a rabbit.They learn how to make friends by giving nice compliments, being friendly and helping each other out! During a large rainstorm when the burrow is filled with water they learn how wonderful it is to have friends, even human ones like Miss Nancy!

I can highly recommend this book either as a read to book for younger children or a read it yourself chapter book for early readers.There are lots of laugh out loud moments so adults will enjoy reading along with their child. There are wonderful life lessons to be learned in all of Ms. Davies books.

This book will publish on February 8, 2022

This is a great easy reader/early chapter series. I love the illustrations and the message. These books are a great addition to a public library collection.

First sentence: Sydney and Taylor live in a burrow under Miss Nancy’s potting shed. Most days are quiet. Sydney likes to do crossword puzzles. Taylor likes to make acorn sculptures. But sometimes Taylor gets a Big Idea. Sydney wishes Taylor did not get so many ideas. He would rather stay home.

Premise/plot: Sydney and Taylor are friends--best friends. But that doesn't stop Taylor from wanting to make other friends. And he wants Sydney to be just as excited to make new friends. He has a plan, a big plan.

It is the third book in the Sydney and Taylor early chapter book series published by HMH. The first two are Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World and Sydney and Taylor Take a Flying Leap. Both books are 2021 publications. (Sadly I didn't have access to review copies of those two).

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! Though it was the third in the series, I think it works even as a stand alone. It did make me want to read the other two books. And I'd definitely want to read any future books starring these two friends. The books are funny, cute, charming.

I identified most with Sydney:

“I don’t like adventures,” said Sydney. “They make me late for lunch.”

“Sydney? Do you think the other animals like us?” “Of course they don’t!” said Sydney, cheerfully. “You’re prickly and I stink!” “Well, no one’s perfect!” said Taylor. “Exactly,” said Sydney. “That’s why we should keep things as they are.”

“Sydney,” whispered Taylor, doing his best to keep his spine straight. “I am going to make pleasant conversation.” Taylor had read several books in which characters became friends by having a pleasant conversation.