A Friend for Bo

October 12, 2015
Trying to make an egg into a playmate and being surprised when it hatches is a familiar plotline, but newcomer Zuniga handles it well: her soft ink-and-wash spreads are full of cozy fixtures, from her bunny hero Bo’s hobbitlike house to his rowboat and its overflowing picnic basket. Bo has mitten-ish paws and fetchingly floppy ears. He discovers the egg by the side of a stream, names it Rollie, and tries to amuse it. When Rollie can’t see the pictures in the book Bo is reading, Bo paints Rollie a face, giving him a sort of jack-o’-lantern look. But Rollie’s charm wears thin when the egg rolls over onto the cookies in the picnic basket: “Well, I hope you had a good time today,” Bo grouses. Fortunately, Rollie hatches that night, providing Bo with a playmate whose webbed feet and bill offer more possibilities. Gratifyingly, readers see that Rollie isn’t abandoned—Bo tapes him back together. The small, enticing details of Bo’s life invigorate this springtime story. Ages 3–7. Agent: Teresa Kietlinski, Prospect Agency.

November 1, 2015
A lonely little rabbit desperately chooses a very unusual friend. Bo notices other creatures happily playing with friends and is determined to find one of his own. He notices...someone (a large egg) nestled in some reeds, says hello, and getting no reply, decides that this new friend is just shy. He names his friend Rollie, takes him home, and attempts to play all sorts of games with him. Rollie never reacts until Bo paints a smile on his blank face. A picnic turns into a mess as Bo becomes more and more frustrated with this one-sided relationship. Finally, a loud crack reveals "a lovely surprise." It's a baby duck and a real live new friend with whom playtime is fun at last. Short, easy sentences are set in white space amid busy, colorful scenes that are filled with details that provide more information than the text. Sharp-eyed readers will spot several animal friendships, and they will of course notice that Rollie is an egg. Unlike Rollie, Bo's face tells every emotion from loneliness to puzzlement, frustration, and eventually, great joy. Zuniga's slight tale walks the knife edge between whimsy and treacle. Young readers might laugh at Bo's excessive cluelessness, but they might just cheer when Rollie hatches and the little duck finally becomes Bo's longed-for friend. Charming and sweet. (Picture book. 3-7)

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November 1, 2015

PreS-It's a lovely day to be outdoors, but Bo the rabbit has no one to play with. As he makes his way through the meadow, he comes upon an egg and names his new friend Rollie. Rollie tags along on all Bo's adventures but isn't a big talker. Or compromiser. Or sharer. That night, Bo is in for a great surprise, which makes sticking with Rollie during the good times and the bad all the more worthwhile. Illustrations done in whimsical watercolors enhance the sweet tale. VERDICT A purchase worth making for libraries with a solid "Duck & Goose" (Random) following.-Brittany Staszak, St. Charles Public Library, IL

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