My Cousin Momo

April 13, 2015
The furry squirrel who narrates OHora’s tale has told everyone that his visiting cousin Momo can fly. It’s true—Momo is a flying squirrel—but when he arrives, he proves to be a tubby, shy fellow. With enormous eyes, a striped headband, and a camera strapped around his neck, Momo is a clear outsider; worse, his idea of playing superheroes is to dress up as a gigantic muffin. “That doesn’t even make sense,” says the narrator’s younger sister in disgust. Momo knows he’s being snubbed; in a sad moment, he packs his bag, tears running down his face. The squirrel siblings repent and try things Momo’s way, joining him as pastry superheroes (“Pastry Power!”). OHora (No Fits, Nilson!) could paint stones in the street and make them funny. He often gets laughs from visually adorable characters whose emotions are at odds with their fuzzy cuteness; when the squirrel siblings set their faces in icy glares and curl their furry fists, the effect is delicious. Momo’s Mary Poppins–style departure is a quiet delight, too. Ages 3–5. Agent: Sean McCarthy, Sean McCarthy Literary Agency.

April 1, 2015
Momo's cousins are excited for his visit, but they have trouble figuring out how to play with him until they accept him on his own terms. Momo arrives with his world-traveling suitcase and a friendly smile. He's a flying squirrel, but he won't show off his skills for his cousins' forest friends. Mom and Dad are full of good advice: "Give him some time"; "Just make him feel welcome!" Momo tries to join in his cousins' games, but nothing works out right. When they suggest playing superheroes, he dresses up as a giant pink Muffin Man. He even messes up hide-and-seek! When his cousins get angry, a tearful Momo packs his bags, leading his cousins to think "maybe we had gone too far." Strong lines, bold, matte colors, and crisp white space focus the attention on the characters' feelings. OHora uses spare language and expressive figures, giving young readers room to reflect on the squirrel cousins' actions. The turning point, when the cousins realize how they have hurt Momo, takes place in a wonderful wordless spread. Soon the cousins realize that trying out new things can actually be a lot of fun. OHora's story soars, encouraging acceptance and being true to yourself. (Picture book. 3-7)

April 1, 2015

PreS-K-When a flying squirrel arrives for a visit with relatives, carrying his suitcase, wearing a camera around his neck, and sporting a pink T-shirt and aqua-and-yellow running shoes, he fails to impress his two cousins and their many forest friends. He's too shy to fly for them, and he doesn't know how to play superheroes, hide-and-seek, or acorn-pong. The cousins are frustrated by Momo's behavior (one cousin kicks a mushroom), but when they follow their parents' advice to "Give him some time" and "Just make him feel welcome," they modify the rules of their games so Momo feels included. OHora's stylized illustrations are humorous (Momo dresses as "Muffin Man" when playing superheroes) and touching (he cries as he packs his suitcase, wanting to go home). VERDICT Many children will relate to Momo's situation as he faces new surroundings and experiences and will be relieved when his cousins finally accept him for who he is.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2015
Preschool-G Momo, a rotund flying squirrel, definitely marches, or scampers, to a different drum. When he visits his cousins, regular gray squirrels, he's not what they expect, and their excited anticipation of his arrival soon turns to disgruntlement. His idea of playing superhero is dressing as a pastry (Muffin Man); he devours the acorns used to play Acorn-Pong (i.e., Ping-Pong); and he doesn't seem to know how to play hide-and-seek. Worst of all, he won't fly. After the cousins hurt Momo's feelings, they rethink things and decide to try Momo's way, discovering how looking at the world in a new way can be fun. Through minimal text, the lesson is learned, with an exciting payoff at the end. Modern, funky illustrations in matte colors of dusty pink, deep aqua, green, gray, and black are hipster chic, and fun detailslike Momo's tiny camera and his cousin's superhero bat costumewill delight. A fab offering.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)