Buddy and Earl Meet the Neighbors

June 1, 2018

PreS-Gr 3-Best friends Buddy the dog and Earl the porcupine are back as "crime-fighting superheroes Wonder Buddy and Super Earl." While the pooch is ready for a nap, his prickly comrade informs him that, "Unfortunately, the good citizens of this fair city expect more from us." He then proceeds to take a call from the mayor on his invisible phone, in which he learns that "the Evil Doctor Stinker has escaped from prison" and is "planning to close down the only hamburger factory in town." The Earl-mobile, aka Mom's new gardening hat, takes them to the evil villain's secret lair, aka the new neighbor's yard, where they meet a bulldog named Mister and a nimble white cat called Snowflake. While demonstrating her own superpowers, Snowflake slips and the dynamic duo, sporting capes and masks, must come to her rescue. Despite a few setbacks, they succeed and then invite their new friends over "to play Lick the Recycling Bin sometime very soon." The illustrations, rendered in acrylic gouache on watercolor paper, capture the humorous antics of the four friends in a palette of lime green and light blue and muted gray and brown on white. Share before recess to inspire adventure and cooperation on the playground. VERDICT This fun story celebrates friendship and the power of imaginative play.-Barbara Auerbach, formerly at New York City Public Schools

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2018
Buddy and Earl, dog and hedgehog, do what they do best: find adventure where there is none.Fergus' protagonists have been digging for treasure in the flower garden. But that gets old pretty fast, and Buddy, as is his wont, suggests a nap. Earl is appalled. He has decided they are superheroes: Wonder Buddy and Super Earl. They must save the city when an imaginary call from the mayor alerts the heroes to a villain on the loose. Buddy is a bit nonplussed by the whole fabrication, but Earl is the brains of the operation, and he keeps things rolling. Earl trails the villain to the new neighbors' house, where they find Mister (a bulldog rather than a villain, and a bit of a rube, like Buddy) and Snowflake (not a villain but a cat, and a bit self-inflated, like Earl). There follow some classic follies--pride before the fall, dogs ripping leaf bags to shreds--which are successfully negotiated, and the new friends are invited to play Lick the Recycling Bin. At last it's time for Buddy's nap. The problem here is that the story lacks the bite of originality. Two little, fairly charming boasters get their comeuppance, but there is no way they will admit to it. Even Earl's little zingers feel well-traveled.Time for a nap. (Picture book. 4-9)

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