03/07/2016
Nothing brings buddies together—or potentially splits them up—like cake. In this good-natured friendship tale, Rabbit, Porcupine, and Moose are the best of pals, fitting comfortably into their respective roles. “I’m good at being the boss,” says Rabbit. “I’m good at having fun,” says Porcupine. “I’m just Moose,” says Moose, the jokester of the bunch. When Rabbit throws herself a birthday party, Moose can’t think about anything but cake, and his sweet obsession leads to a party disaster, a reluctant mea culpa, and an attempt to make amends. Sauer (Roar!) sprinkles humorous asides from the characters between the straightforward narration that moves the story along. Moose’s confessional monologue, which appears in a page crammed with all-caps text, is laugh-out-loud funny (“Is it my fault my mouth’s so big that the whole cake kind of fell right in?” he wails). In mixed-media art accented with candy hues, Rozelaar’s (Don’t Call Me Sweet!) wide-eyed critters match the buoyancy of the story with playfully expressive faces and body language. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Eunice McMullen. (May)
Laid-back language and a subtle rhythm-all three characters make comments in speech-bubbles on each page-make this happy-go-lucky picture book fun to read aloud. — ALA Booklist
Moose’s confessional monologue, which appears in a page crammed with all-caps text, is laugh-out-loud funny (“Is it my fault my mouth’s so big that the whole cake kind of fell right in?” he wails). — Publishers Weekly
Rozelaar’s digital illustrations portray Moose as a big-eyed, rather bumbling goof (in a wildly patterned and colorful sweater) next to his more delicate (and hapless in the case of Porcupine) friends, setting up the story nicely. A lesson in sharing that goes down as easily as, well, cake. — Kirkus Reviews
...The cartoon animals are sweet and expressive. Readers will ask for seconds of this fun title. Super for storytime or one-on-one sharing. — School Library Journal
Laid-back language and a subtle rhythm-all three characters make comments in speech-bubbles on each page-make this happy-go-lucky picture book fun to read aloud.
Rozelaar’s digital illustrations portray Moose as a big-eyed, rather bumbling goof (in a wildly patterned and colorful sweater) next to his more delicate (and hapless in the case of Porcupine) friends, setting up the story nicely. A lesson in sharing that goes down as easily as, well, cake.
05/01/2016
PreS-Gr 1—Moose, Porcupine, and Rabbit are three best friends who love playing together. They enjoy the playground and woods but are excited to join together for Rabbit's birthday party. First, the three jump on the trampoline and then take turns playing "Pin the Tail on the Chipmunk." Observant readers will notice that Moose is very distracted during the games. Finally, it is time for cake. Unfortunately, Rabbit and Porcupine cannot find the cake or Moose. When they locate Moose, he is reclining in a chair with crumbs all over his sweater. Initially he denies his involvement with the missing cake, but his confession rushes out once his friends start crying. Ultimately, the friendship is saved when Moose redeems himself by making a new cake to share with his friends. This is a standard narrative, with interjections and comments from the characters along the way. Rendered with brush, India ink, and Photoshop, the cartoon animals are sweet and expressive. VERDICT Readers will ask for seconds of this fun title. Super for storytime or one-on-one sharing.—Laura Hunter, Mount Laurel Library, NJ
2016-03-02
A pig of a moose learns how to make it up to his friends when he missteps. Rabbit, Porcupine, and Moose are best friends who love to play together. Rabbit is good at being the boss, Porcupine is good at having fun, and Moose is just Moose (readers will quickly see that he's a little sassy). On Rabbit's birthday, all three are excited at the prospect of a party. But when Moose smells the cake baking, he follows his nose away from the festivities and into trouble with his friends. He denies it when they accuse him of eating all the cake, but a burp gives him away. He then tries to make light of what he's done, but Rabbit (who's "hopping mad") and Porcupine (who's getting "prickly") won't have it. Moose is left alone trying to figure out a way to make it up to them. His solution will not surprise readers, but it does surprise his friends, who at first have a hard time forgiving. And Moose seems to have learned his lesson: "I love cake! But… / I love sharing it with friends even more." Rozelaar's digital illustrations portray Moose as a big-eyed, rather bumbling goof (in a wildly patterned and colorful sweater) next to his more delicate (and hapless in the case of Porcupine) friends, setting up the story nicely. A lesson in sharing that goes down as easily as, well, cake. (Picture book. 4-8)
