The Meeting

May 1, 2010
Gr 1-3-This picture-book-size graphic novel involves two single-parent animal familiesMr. Badger, his two sons Bristle and Grub, and baby daughter Berry; and Mrs. Fox and her daughter Ginger. After hunters destroy the Foxes' home, the adults meet and decide to share a burrow. Not happy with this arrangement, Bristle, Grub, and Ginger organize an open-house party to convince their parents that badgers and foxes should not live together. The story has enough action to keep readers' interest and a dramatic resolution. The theme of children in blended families is well developed without being didactic. With some help from adults, beginning-level readers will be able to read the comic-style text balloons and follow the panels. The soft watercolor illustrations evoke the summer forest setting and move the story along. A good start to a new series."Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 15, 2010
Grades K-3 *Starred Review* This beautifully painted and sweetly told talethe first in the Mr. Badger and Mrs. Fox seriestells how two different families meet, overcome suspicion of each other, and work to combine resources. Mr. Badger has his paws full caring for a baby girl and her two older brothers, one of whom is a Peter Rabbitlike mischief maker. Mrs. Fox and her daughter happen into the badger burrow when their own is invaded by scary dogs. Rendered as a beginning graphic novel, the story and characters are presented with plenty of heart and soul: expressive anthropomorphic faces and postures and rich dialogue require and reward engagement. Watercolor panels vary in size on folio pages, and balloons contain an easy-to-read font. Although the story is self-contained in this book, this promising start of a series translated from the French will leave American readers wanting the next story. Quality translation and art production, along with a hardcover binding that lies flat, are details that suggest this book can be a popular mainstay in collections for a long time. A delight on many levels, it is also big enough to share with small groups and detailed enough to make for a leisurely individual reading experience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)