Stella Batts Needs a New Name

When my littlest patrons recommend books, I listen. This series has been flying off the JF shelves, so I had to bring one home and read it. Sigh.
Here's the good: clearly the kids like this. It's encouraging them to read. The art is lovely
(although- what is UP with Stella's ankles?)
Here is what bothered me: super simple sentences that offer no challenge. Sentences that start with the word “But”. Also missing is character development, an actual plot, and humor. Honestly this is the equivalent of the sarcastic saying “First World Problems!”. My perfect family owns a candy store and my biggest problem in life is that I don't like my name. Seriously? What kid does not hate their name at one point or another in life? Fine. As a subplot or side topic in a book, a character disliking her name would work. When it is the main plot point, er...no. Book two does not look more promising as it appears there is gum in Stella's hair.

I don't think every book every kid reads needs to be War and Peace, but I feel that fiction is most powerful when it sets the reader in a world unlike their own to experience new emotions and situations. This series is the equivalent of iceberg lettuce: not harmful, but devoid of nutrients.