Barry's Best Buddy (Toon Books Level 1)

Comics creator French, who has written and illustrated two picture books as Rainy Dohaney, presents an offbeat story of misdirection, generosity, and opposites-attract friendship. Barry, a squarish bird with half-lidded eyes that telegraph disinterest and disdain, is awakened from a nap by his doughy, rodentlike friend, Polarhog, who promises him a surprise. Polarhog leads Barry on a rambling journey down a path, with stops along the way for hats ("I do not like hats," grumps Barry), ice cream ("I don't like ice cream," sniffs Barry), and a found meatball ("EW. Then maybe don't eat it," suggests Barry). Their perambulation unfolds over full-bleed spreads in a palette so milky one would be forgiven for thinking the artwork was printed on vellum. As Barry and Polarhog move from left to right, a crew of ants travels in the opposite direction; armed with paint, light bulbs, and wire, they hint at what awaits Barry when he returns to his house, which Polarhog had dismissed as being the color of "snooze." French's sharp, pared-down dialogue easily establishes the friends' personalities and provides many moments of humor. Ages 4-up. (Mar.)

K-Gr 2--When an excited Polarhog wakes Barry up from his peaceful slumber in his boring gray house, promising a surprise, Barry is not impressed. The two friends meander through the woods and past the hat shop, where Polarhog is determined to find the perfect hat for his bird buddy. Throughout the story, ants are seen carrying all kinds of objects that leave a trail for young readers to find Barry's surprise. This funny story has plenty of jokes to keep reluctant readers' interest. A few higher vocabulary words like "tragedy," "bliss," and "decorate" are sprinkled throughout and add to the richness of this excellent little comic book. The whimsical artwork adds subtle humor to the story. Barry's expression when he is wearing his hat is perfectly captured, and the tear in his eye when his surprise is finally revealed is poignant and sweet.--Alison Donnelly, Collinsville Memorial Public Library, IL