Nugget and Fang: Friends Forever--Or Snack Time?
(Nugget and Fang)

In Sauer's bighearted tale, two fine, finned friends discover that conventional wisdom isn't always to be trusted. Nugget the minnow and Fang the shark have palled around forever in the deep ocean. But when it's time for Nugget to go to school, Fang feels left out. Meanwhile, Nugget is shocked by what he learns in school: "Sharks are toothy. Sharks are scary. Sharks and minnows can't be friends," he explains to Fang. Just when things look bleakest, Fang finds a way to win back Nugget's friendship and shatter the scary shark stereotype. Sauer (Princess in Training) creates kindly characters and hits sweetly humorous notes throughout, avoiding a lesson-heavy tone. Packed with visual gags, Slack's (Pass It On) digital artwork features varied blues and zingy dashes of orange, magenta, and neon green that make the friends' undersea home feel like SpongeBob Square-Pants's Bikini Bottom by way of Mary Blair. Fang's comparative enormousness and toothy grin help him steal most of the scenes in this funny friendship tale. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Illustrator's agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Mar.)

PreS-Gr 2--Two undersea buddies spend all of their time together, until the tiny fish swims off to school and is taught that sharks and minnows can't be friends because sharks are known to devour smaller species. Shocked, and "apparently delicious," Nugget decides that the two should part ways. Though Fang attempts to win his pal back through several well-intentioned but poorly planned endeavors, including dressing up in a ridiculous mermaid outfit to prove he isn't scary, the small-fry remains resolute. Downcast and lonely, the shark is moping in deep waters when he notices that Nugget and the other minnows have been caught in a fishing net. The ever-faithful Fang comes up with a plan to utilize his "big sharp teeth" to save the day. Drenched in rich blues and vivid coral-reef hues, the exuberant illustrations depict a tiny bright-eyed fish and a likable shark with razor-sharp chompers and goofy charisma. The text's cadence is well-timed for sharing aloud, and both narrative and illustrations zing with humorous touches. An entertaining tale that sends a positive message about the power of friendship and the importance of individuality.--Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal