Felix eats up

In the guinea pig pals fourth book together (beginning with Felix Stands Tall), cautious Felix steps out of his comfort zone again, cheered on along the way by best friend Fiona. Felix, who is particular about food and has no need to try anything new, feels safe eating at Fionas house because hes sure her mother will make my favorite macaroni and cheeseas she always does! Not this time, Fiona informs him; tonight, they are going out to a Chinese restaurant to celebrate her half-birthday. Kids like Felix will recognize his habit of negative thoughts when confronted with unexpected changes. Wells sensitively portrays Felixs anxiety in both text and art. Hes never labeled as picky or difficult; Fiona is depicted as consistently upbeat and encouraging (frustrated caregivers, take note). Wellss recognizable, friendly watercolor and pencil illustrations gently portray Felixs concerns about the unfamiliar without allowing them to overwhelm the story. At storys end, despite his fears, Felix gamely eats twelve new things! Food-averse kids probably wont experience such instant and dramatic results, but they will likely be comforted to see that they arent alone in their food fears. kitty Flynn September/October 2019 p.75(c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

As a birthday dinner at a restaurant approaches, Felix puts his trust in his best friend, Fiona, to guide him past his food neophobia. Every day, Felix brings the same sandwich to school for lunch: sprouts on buttered oat bread. It seems Fiona has a more robust appetite, chowing down on an enchilada with hot sauce. Throughout the day, Felix worries about Fiona's upcoming half-birthday sleepover, specifically dinner out at a restaurant. He would much rather have Fiona's mom's macaroni and cheese. Fiona keeps mentioning different unusual restaurants, filling his mind with imagined plates of unpleasantness. His anxiety increases as fish with staring eyes and open mouths, liver-enriched sausage, and flaming hot pans appear in his thought bubbles. At the restaurant, Fiona considerately orders a dish she thinks Felix will like: snow peas. He envisions a pile of ice cubes. Without disapproval or exaggeration, Wells quietly addresses the common discomfort of selective eating disorder and eases Felix through the situation with kindness. His journey to the other side is cause for celebration. As with the other titles in this tender series, Wells illustrates how a young person facing a problem can be comforted with the balm of friendship.Fans of these sweet guinea pigs will smile at another one of life's small victories. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.