Astrid and Apollo and the Cutest Canine Contest

Description: Eight-year-old Hmong American twins Astrid and Apollo want to enter their dog Luna in the Cutest Canine Contest, but teaching her the tricks she will need to compete is proving challenging, even with the help of their little sister, Eliana.

Brief description: V.T. Bidania was born in Laos and grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. She spent most of her childhood writing stories and now that she's an adult, she is thrilled to be writing stories for children. She has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from The New School and is a recipient of the Loft Literary Center's Mirrors & Windows Fellowship. She lives outside of the Twin Cities with her family.

Review Quotes: Astrid and Apollo, the popular Hmong siblings, return to face new challenges together. This time, they enter their adorable dog Luna into a canine contest after teaching her some new tricks, and they host a party for their Great Uncle Cha, ­featuring some especially sticky noodles. The family's lively activities are brought to life through vibrant illustrations. The inclusion of Hmong words and their pronunciations before the first chapter aids in reading, while the Hmong facts and glossary at the end offer an informative introduction to the culture for children who may be unfamiliar with it. VERDICT These titles uphold the quality of the series, prominently highlighting Hmong culture, and are valuable additions to library collections.-- "School Library Journal"