Pepper & Poe

Starred review from May 1, 2015
Life is good for Pepper, the household's only cat, until Poe arrives-now nothing will be the same, as the new siblings navigate toys, space, and ultimately, friendship. Pepper loves the days of the week. Sundays are for napping, Mondays for playing, Tuesdays for testing the dog's patience. But this Wednesday, everything changes. A frisky, white kitten joins the family, and Pepper declares, "I don't like it." Poe is cute and jolly, and more than anything, the kitten wants to play with territorial Pepper. Seeking space and privacy, the elder feline runs, while the younger takes chase. Mayhem ensues, as dishes, laundry, boxes, and even Poe rain down. However, when the owner asks who's at fault for the mess, the two blame the dog and are forever bonded. Digital illustrations capture the warmth and texture of hand-painted collage. Like Leo Lionni, the artist uses negative space to bring her expressive and appealing characters into focus-their emotions, desires, and intentions. Preston-Gannon perfectly depicts a young sibling relationship, with respect, wit, and empathy for both sides. True to her subjects, the ending is as hilarious as it is heartwarming, and it will leave readers clamoring for more. A sparkling addition to the new-sibling bookshelf. (Picture book. 3-6)

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May 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 2-A simple story of household pet dynamics. Pepper is a big gray cat with green eyes that clearly convey his contentment with life. Sundays are for napping, Mondays for playing, Tuesdays are for annoying the dog, and then Wednesday arrives, and so does Poe, an eager white fluff ball of a kitten with adoring orange eyes. Suddenly, Poe is following Pepper around, playing with his toys, and taking up his favorite spaces. Finally, Pepper has had enough, but a big crash of home decor and a pitiable cry from Poe are enough to bring the two together-by blaming it all on the dog. Preston-Gannon's digital illustrations convey texture, movement, and plenty of personality, and while the narrative feels familiar, the simple text with very few words per page and the predictable structure make this a good option for newly independent readers. Young audiences will certainly see their own pets, and potentially their siblings, in these two endearing characters. VERDICT While it doesn't break any new ground, this is a pleasantly satisfying romp that will appeal to a wide range of independent readers and should be a hit at storytime.-Chelsea Couillard-Smith, Sacramento Public Library, CA

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