Are You a Cheeseburger?

Silly and heartwarming in equal measure. (Picture book. 4-8)

While foraging in a garbage can, a raccoon named Grub meets glowing green Seed, who has bright black eyes and a knowing smile. Seed, who is hoping to get planted, isn't in a hurry to dissuade Grub of the notion that Seed could eventually grow into his favorite food, a "very good and very special" cheeseburger. But what starts as a relationship of mutual expediency deepens as Grub keeps watch on the patch of ground where Seed is nestled. Arnaldo's (Time for Bed's Story) witty mixed-media drawings keep readers slightly off-balance--in a good way--through their mix of real and fanciful elements and varying compositional tactics as the two exchange stories and deepen their bond: "Grub told Seed about the top three cheeseburgers he had ever eaten.... Seed told Grub about all the interesting things he saw down in the earth." When Seed pops through the ground and blossoms into a flower, Grub's face is the very picture of thwarted expectations--until he realizes how much the friendship means to him. There's a lot of profundity within these whimsical pages--about growing up, overcoming disappointment through acceptance, and valuing relationships over personal needs--which should plant some hearty seeds of conversation for readers of all ages. Ages 4-8. Agent: Alexandra Levick, Writers House. (June)

PreS-K--Refreshingly novel for its unexpected duo of characters, Arnaldo's digitally illustrated story about a budding friendship between a raccoon and a plant seed will amuse young listeners. Grub the raccoon roots through a trash can for his dinner, only to find a curious, green Seed asking to be planted in the ground. With the fervent hope that Seed will become a cheeseburger plant, Grub cares for him as he sprouts. Grub has never had cheeseburgers before, deeming them "very good and very special," a handy but subtle metaphor that ultimately reflects the idea of friendship and often pops into the duo's simple, sometimes silly, conversations. Interpreting such an unembellished message in the story amid the action and creative visuals may require discussion to help reveal how the time Grub and Seed spend growing a special friendship, rather than cheeseburgers, holds the greater value. Arnaldo makes productive use of negative space and crafts different perspectives panel by panel to set the pace of the text and animate her characters; however, insights into Grub and Seed's emotions are limited, with exception to the conclusive revelation. VERDICT A delightfully quirky tale about an uncommon pairing of characters that offers light humor and guileless dialogue as they learn to treasure their blossoming friendship.--Rachel Mulligan, Westampton, NJ