Woodpecker Wants a Waffle

March 15, 2016
Will this woodpecker wishing for waffles win one? "One morning, Benny awoke to the best tummy-rumbling smell." He follows his nose to the grand opening of Moe's, home, so the sign says, of the hot waffle breakfast. Benny doesn't exactly know what a waffle is, but when he sees one, he knows he wants one. Every attempt to get one ends in a boot or a broom from the beehived, bespectacled white waitress. When his animal friends catch him thinking about waffles and plotting to get one, they laugh and tell him, "Woodpeckers don't eat waffles!"--but only pushy Bunny has a reason. (Kind of: "Because I SAID so.") So Benny details his spectacular plan to get a waffle (involving cannon and juggling and fireworks and musical numbers). His description of his plan draws an animal audience around the diner the next morning...but will it net Benny a waffle? Breen's adorable and determined woodpecker knows what he wants as surely as Willems' Pigeon does, but Benny may be a bit smarter. His attempts (and final success) will have preschoolers giggling and begging for a second helping. Ink, watercolors, colored pencils, and "artistic genius" were used to make the cartoon illustrations that add the perfect subtle and slapstick humor to Benny's quest. Serves up fun (and likely a waffle craving)--a good bet for breakfast reading. (Picture book. 3-7)

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May 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-Breen delivers a whimsical, alliterative story of animal high jinks. When Benny the woodpecker investigates a tummy-rumbling smell, he is led to a diner where his curiosity is piqued by a customer relishing a plate of freshly made waffles. Although Benny is desperate to taste the breakfast treat, he is thwarted time and again by an astute and ornery waitress. Neither camouflage nor comic disguises fool this waffle server, leaving Benny to brainstorm new ideas with his animal friends in the nearby woods. All of Benny's companions try to dissuade him, using clever alliterations ("Moose don't eat muffins," "Raccoons don't eat ravioli," etc.); however, Benny's outlandish plans do give way to a sly and satisfying ending. Excellent watercolor illustrations help depict this charming world, while the ratio of text to white space is ideal for emerging readers.

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 15, 2016
Preschool-G *Starred Review* Benny, a woodpecker, flies from the forest to a diner that advertises hot waffles. Craving this unfamiliar food, he tries to enter the restaurant in disguise, but time after time, the waitress throws him out. Other animals gather to watch, laughing hysterically because, as the rabbit shouts, WOODPECKERS DON'T EAT WAFFLES! Unconvinced and undeterred, Benny suggests that they come back tomorrow to see his new waffle-procurement scheme (involving a cannon, juggling, and fireworks) in action. The curious animals arrive early and line up facing the restaurant. Baffled, the customers and staff go out to gape and take pictures. Meanwhile, Benny strolls into the diner, bites into an abandoned waffle, and comments, Sweet. It's a mighty satisfying moment for the plucky woodpecker and also for kids, who will love watching the little guy outwit both the humans and the other animals. Breen, whose long list of awards as an editorial cartoonist includes two Pulitzer Prizes, offers a short, satisfying text that works effectively with droll, expressive artwork. According to a note, he used watercolors, colored pencils, and his artistic genius to create the illustrationsand judging by the results, that's a fine combination. This funny number celebrates determination, nonconformity, and creativity. And, of course, waffles.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)