Two for One (Bink & Gollie #2)

Gr 1-3--Best friends Bink and Gollie are complete opposites in terms of appearance; Bink is short and squat with an explosion of yellow hair and rumpled clothes, and Gollie is tall and slender with a smooth bob and a chic outfit. They are kindred spirits, though, and readers will delight in sharing in their adventures at the state fair. First, Bink tries mightily (yet unsuccessfully) to win one of the games, then Gollie decides to enter a talent competition but is gripped by a bout of stage fright. Finally, both girls have their fortunes told by Madame Prunely, and they realize that the future doesn't matter too much as long as they're together. The common thread linking all of the stories is the girls' respect and compassion for each other, and the realization that having a good buddy makes life's little vexations more tolerable. Short, compact sentences make this book an ideal selection for beginning readers. There are some challenging vocabulary words, but readers should be able to glean much of the story from the fantastic illustrations. Fucile employs an economical use of sketchy lines and splashes of color to capture facial expressions and emotions with spot-on accuracy. His artwork goes a long way in making this title the funny, touching book that it is. It would be no surprise if Bink and Gollie were to join the likes of Elephant and Piggie and Frog and Toad in the ranks of favorite friend duos. Hilarious, warm, and, in a word, outstanding.--Amy Holland, Irondequoit Public Library, NY --

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

If Bink and Gollie's first adventure emphasized the simple pleasures of roller skating, novelty socks, and imaginary mountain-climbing expeditions, DiCamillo and McGhee's sequel suggests that the world is a strange and unpredictable place, best faced with one's closest friend at one's side. This trio of stories is set at the state fair (where better to observe the odder side of life?), and while this mismatched duo's friendship remains feisty and close-knit, an unsettling undercurrent runs through the tales. Bink tries her hand at the Whack-a-Duck game in the surprisingly violent first story, nailing the game's operator in the face with a baseball three times (strike three mercifully occurs off-screen, but Bink's first two efforts are drawn in graphic detail). In the following stories, Gollie competes (unsuccessfully) in a talent competition, and the girls visit a fortune-teller. The book's best moment occurs after Madame Prunely reveals that the girls will be together in the future. "That's all the future I need to know," shouts Bink, charging out of the tent. Here's hoping that future is brighter. Ages 6-8. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (June)

Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Best friends Bink and Gollie are complete opposites in terms of appearance; they are kindred spirits, though, and readers will delight in sharing in their adventures at the state fair... Short, compact sentences make this book an ideal selection for beginning readers... Fucile employs an economical use of sketchy lines and splashes of color to capture facial expressions and emotions with spot-on accuracy. His artwork goes a long way in making this title the funny, touching book that it is. It would be no surprise if Bink and Gollie were to join the likes of Elephant and Piggie and Frog and Toad in the ranks of favorite friend duos.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

B&G again hit that sweet spot where picture books, graphic novels, and early readers converge... The book follows a satisfying trajectory from the first story's slapstick through the second's pathos to conclude with the affirmation of friendship in the third, and the blend of humor and sympathetic warmth buoys the story throughout. This endearing partnership remains a treat to follow, and readers will be as delighted as Bink and Gollie about the fortune-teller-certified long-term soundness of their friendship.
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

Fucile's lively artwork and detailed cartoon-style drawings, in combination with DiCamillo and McGhee's simple, droll words, are spot-on when it comes to depicting humorous and sympathetic moments, and they excel in highlighting the great joys of best friendship. Kids will be left eagerly anticipating the further adventures of this unlikely—and completely charming—duo.
—Booklist

Winsome duo Bink and Gollie are back, this time zipping through a day at the state fair... Bink and Gollie's second adventure won't disappoint. Utterly chuckle-worthy, charming and (thank goodness) still refreshing. Friendships can be tricky to navigate, but if youngsters find half of the joy and loyalty of this pair, they'll be set.
—Kirkus Reviews

The odd-couple besties star in three new stories that take place at a state fair... DiCamillo and McGhee's all-dialogue text is crisp and character specific: Bink, perpetually overexcited, speaks in short, caffeinated bursts while Gollie's thoughts emerge fully formed. Fucile's digital illustrations, black and white with frequent, strategic pops of color, use copious motion lines and cinematic views.
—The Horn Book

Another welcome sequel...illustrated with zany energy. Here the mismatched best friends compete at the state fair to win a large doughnut, "nature's most perfect food," and together "travel the darkened path" to a gypsy tent, where a wizened Madame Prunely gives them a lovely glimpse of the future.
—The Wall Street Journal

Vivacious design, winning illustrations and funny, fresh dialogue waltz harmoniously in this charming tribute to a friendship.
—Shelf Awareness

Both Bink and Gollie books are surely destined to be classics. Here's hoping that if Madame Prunely peeked into readers' futures, she would foretell our enjoying many more books in this series.
—Kidsreads.com

Superbly crafted... These are stories that highlight all the ups and downs of two best buds who know each other well, and they're written with humor and empathy.
—Seven Impossible Things blog

These short, funny, and tender-hearted tales peer even deepr into the lives of two unlikely friends. Let's hope the trio ofe DiCamillo, McGhee, and Fucile team up yet again to see what mischeif they-and Bink and Gollie-can get into!
—BookPage

The theme of this charming book is, once again, strong and enduring friendship.
—Minneapolis Star Tribune

The first time out, DiCamillo, McGhee, and Fucile knocked it out of the park, and this strong follow up is a book that deserves plenty of notice as well.
—100 Scope Notes