Ollie and Claire

February 18, 2013
Best friends Ollie and Claire have a real zest for life: the two dogs’ active routine includes yodeling, yoga, swimming, running, and “dinners of bologna on white, promptly at 7:15.” Can their friendship survive Claire’s thirst for even more adventure? It’s a desire she plans to satisfy by responding to an anonymous sign she sees posted in town: “Travel friend wanted for round-the-world journey!/ Come circle the planet with me!” Visions of exploration and discovery fill Claire’s head, but guilt about abandoning her friend soon sets in. Readers may suspect they know how this story is going to turn out, and they’d be right; Cordell (hello! hello!) even tucks in a few visual clues about the identity of the mystery adventurer into his typically energetic pencil-and-watercolor artwork. However, while the ending may not come as a surprise, Haber’s (The Monster Who Lost His Mean) rhymes are both metrically precise and delightfully original, conveying Claire’s growing enthusiasm and anxiety as her “trip of a lifetime” approaches. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Teresa Kietlinski, the Prospect Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio.

September 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 1-"Ollie and Claire were a tightly knit pair, /like hot buttered biscuits and jam." So begins this heartwarming, rhyming story about two adorable pooches whose friendship is tested when one develops a longing for adventure. Ollie and Claire have a routine that includes a lot of interesting activities such as yodeling, yoga, and running hurdles, but even so, Claire can't resist when she sees an advertisement for a travel companion. "Do you love hula dancing and/sledding through snow?/Do you feel like you need/to explore?/Adventure is calling, /let's go go go go!/Meet me here Monday at 4." Resolved to follow her heart, Claire packs her bags but then has a moment of pause when she thinks about leaving Ollie behind. In the meantime, visual clues will lead observant readers to the happy conclusion, which is reminiscent of a well-known romantic comedy. The charm of this book resides less in its familiar plot than in the well-constructed text and amusing pen and watercolor illustrations. With their fresh palette and energetic characters, these pictures are a vital partner in the telling of this sweet and satisfying tale.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

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