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Venus Washington and the Lasagna Drama
Book #1 of Venus Washington
By Maisha Oso
Illustrated by Courtney Lovett
Table of Contents
About The Book
“Will surely be a smash hit as a classroom read-aloud.” —Booklist (starred review)
Fans of Amelia Bedelia and Dory Fantasmagory will laugh themselves silly at Venus Washington’s misunderstanding about her grandma’s secret recipe in this first book in a hilarious new chapter book series!
Venus Washington isn’t sure why her parents named her that, since she was born on Earth and she’s never been to Washington. One thing she does know: her favorite food is cotton candy. But after that, it’s definitely lasagna. Yummy, gooey, cheesy lasagna.
Grandma makes the best lasagna. Venus wants to know her super delicious recipe—until Grandpa lets it slip that the secret ingredient may be toes. Yuck! With the help of BFF Summer, WEF (Worst Enemy Forever) Winter, and super-smart pet Hamsterburger, Venus sets out to save her family from the worst secret ingredient ever!
Fans of Amelia Bedelia and Dory Fantasmagory will laugh themselves silly at Venus Washington’s misunderstanding about her grandma’s secret recipe in this first book in a hilarious new chapter book series!
Venus Washington isn’t sure why her parents named her that, since she was born on Earth and she’s never been to Washington. One thing she does know: her favorite food is cotton candy. But after that, it’s definitely lasagna. Yummy, gooey, cheesy lasagna.
Grandma makes the best lasagna. Venus wants to know her super delicious recipe—until Grandpa lets it slip that the secret ingredient may be toes. Yuck! With the help of BFF Summer, WEF (Worst Enemy Forever) Winter, and super-smart pet Hamsterburger, Venus sets out to save her family from the worst secret ingredient ever!
About The Illustrator
Courtney Lovett has a BFA in visual arts and animation from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She works in different artistic disciplines, including illustration, character design, and animation. As a Black American and a native of the DC-Maryland-Virginia area, her work reflects her heritage and upbringing, focusing on perspectives that are often underrepresented or misrepresented in art and media. Visit her at CourtneyLovett.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (January 6, 2026)
- Length: 96 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665969482
- Ages: 5 - 9
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Raves and Reviews
* “[A] hilarious series starter . . . Venus with her literal-mindedness and desire to help is a delightful successor to Amelia Bedelia. . . . This fast-paced chapter book . . . will surely be a smash hit as a classroom read-aloud.”
– Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
"The narrative balances clever wordplay with heart, emphasizing curiosity, problem-solving, and the playful exploration of language. With her literal interpretations and inventive thinking, Venus feels like a modern-day Amelia Bedelia . . . . Lovett’s expressive black-and-white artwork, interspersed throughout, enhances the text. A winning combination of quirky humor, wordplay, and warm family story."
– Kirkus Reviews
“This chapter book explores wordplay and teamwork with a hearty dose of silliness. . . . Reminiscent of Melissa Thomson’s “Keena Ford” series, this is a solid series debut to add to children’s library collections.”
– School Library Journal
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
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Book Cover Image (jpg): Venus Washington and the Lasagna Drama
eBook 9781665969482
