Chirp! Chipmunk sings for a friend

A chipmunk sits on her rock, chirping happy songs, bittersweet songs, and sometimes, songs that are very sad. While Rock excels at listening, Chipmunk longs for a friend who can sing with her. She meets a friendly-looking pine cone and carries her home. Rock and Pinecone are both great listeners, but neither can sing. Chipmunk finds a promising log, but it's too heavy to drag home, even with help from an amiable raccoon who hears her sad chirps and wants to help. When Chipmunk joins Raccoon in a heartfelt song of friendship, defeat, and frustration, the music attracts Moose, who offers to move Log. In the end, Rock, Pinecone, and Log listen to Chipmunk, Raccoon, and Moose singing together. Nicely phrased and using repetition effectively, the text is strongly in touch with young children's impulse to befriend inanimate objects that come alive in their imaginations. The expressive, digital illustrations set the stage beautifully and bring the characters to life. Whenever Chipmunk sings, abstract elements flow through the woodland scenes. An appealing picture book exploring friendship and music.

Voices that join together make sweet music indeed. Chipmunk lives on a rock, spending most of her days singing--"chirping"--songs that are happy, bittersweet, or sad. She really wants a singing partner. (Rock only listens.) On a walkabout, she encounters a pinecone whom she brings home, but Pinecone's no better at singing than Rock is. Another day, Chipmunk finds a log she can't move. Disconsolate, she sings a song "in my heart" laden with loneliness and defeat, which a listening raccoon appreciatively calls "sad" and "beautiful." Raccoon helps with the log, but the pair's efforts fail. Raccoon joins Chipmunk's song, adding lyrics about frustration. A moose praises the duo's tune, sung from "our hearts," and offers pushing assistance. Moose's strength finally dislodges the log, landing it…right near Rock and Pinecone. In the end, these objects become fast friends and perfect listeners to the songs that Chipmunk, Raccoon, and Moose sing together. This gentle, simply told story addresses the importance and enjoyment of friendship and collaboration. The eye-catching illustrations feature colors and patterns suggesting the emotional heft of Chipmunk's airs; ample white space permits focus on the tale's lively goings-on. The animal protagonists have engaging personalities and faces; their coats' realistic furriness is achieved via the artist's deft, swift strokes. (This book was reviewed digitally with 7-by-19-inch double-page spreads viewed at 43.5% of actual size.) Sweet music is best heard by those who really listen. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.