When PB Met J

Gr 1-2--"The Best Friendship Since Sliced Bread!" is the faux subtitle here, and few readers will want to argue. The comic book--style art is right at home for the anthropomorphized twosome featuring a doe-eyed Jelly and bespectacled PB. Jelly lives with the Fridgers, who are a bit snooty about the Cupboard Crew, and PB lives across the way in the cupboard, wondering what happens when the fridge door closes. There is an incident with a lid, an unconscious PB on the ground, and a family dog who gets blamed for everything. Unity is restored, and PB and Jelly get along just fine. For children curious about the graphic novels their older siblings are reading, this is the place to start, with easy-to-follow speech bubbles and action that is clearly outlined and reinforced by the words. The bright illustrations are drawn in downright flirtatious colors; who knew that refrigerator light was so romantic? VERDICT This feels like the first book of a beautiful relationship, and the other condiments, or side characters, are ready to step into the refrigerator's glowing limelight as well. Readers will clamor for more.--Kimberly Olson Fakih