Before long, their familiar, now very nervous barnyard friends (Goat, Hen, Goose, Cow, Duck, and Pig) squeeze into the garage. Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are heading home when a storm lets loose. Is it a stormy-night scare or a bedtime book? Both! While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms-or paws and webbed feet.Ī sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable.

Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. This screwball of a story will leave readers hankering for a slice.Ī clueless duckling tries to make a new friend. And yes, finally, deliriously happy, cheesy gluttony.

Will his built-in mask and wily ways help him get even more pizza? Salmieri’s droll illustrations capture Raccoon in many moods: quiet desperation with his nose pressed longingly against the pizza parlor’s window, furtive, trench-coated scheming. After donning an elaborate disguise in order to get the pizza, then following an even more elaborate escape route riddled with obstacles (past the broom factory, over the broom enthusiasts club), Raccoon is finally ready for his SECRET PIZZA PARTY! (Shhhhh, it’s a secret, remember?) But before taking a bite, he sees a masquerade ball going on right outside his tree. They always chase him away! How will Raccoon ever get his paws on the delectable dish that he desires? By throwing a secret pizza party, of course. More specifically, human beings with brooms. He can’t get enough of the “gooey cheesy-ness, salty pepperoni-ness, sweet, sweet tomato-ness and crispity, crunchity crust.” Alas, there is one thing that stands between Raccoon and his pizza-human beings. From the madcap creators of Dragons Love Tacos (2012), another animal foodie shows just how far he will go to get his favorite meal.

Secret pizza party by adam rubin