Otis & Peanut

Gr 2 Up--Otis the long-haired guinea pig and Peanut the naked mole rat are friends who get to know each other better through the three stories in this book. Each story is slow-paced and thoughtful and provides gentle treatment of tough topics like coping with loss and being afraid of change. In "The Haircut," "The Swing," and "The House," Otis and Peanut deal with small conflicts and obstacles by talking through them, and by the end of each story they've come to a better understanding of each other. In each story, the characters learn together that some problems can be easily solved (making a house feel like a home) while others never fully go away (missing someone who's gone). Collier's artwork is bold and eye-catching, using vibrant colors like yellow, turquoise, and red. But the illustrations are also powerful in smaller ways, like in the characters' changing expressions. VERDICT For kids who enjoy sweet, sensitive, and heartfelt stories about friendship and trust.--Andrea Lipinski

Changes large and small are approached sensitively in this graphic novel for evolving readers. In the lightest of the three stories, shaggy Otis, a long-haired guinea pig, is battling some fears about an upcoming haircut--it could hurt, itch, or turn Otis into a completely different critter! Otis' naked mole rat pal, Peanut, doesn't want to force Otis to chop their mop, but since they both came all this way, Peanut proceeds to make some changes to their look instead, buying a new hat, coat, and pair of shoes. The style evolution is so dramatic that Peanut muses that maybe the biggest change they could make would be to actually make a new friend. Otis knows just what to do: They get a haircut so they can be the new friend! This sweet and silly story is followed by a more emotional tale. After finding Otis swinging alone, Peanut listens compassionately while Otis grieves the loss of friend Pearl. Finally, Peanut helps Otis' new house feel more like a home. Throughout the stories, the two friends work together to carve out a sense of belonging; like Frog and Toad or Elephant and Piggie, they're sure to become reader favorites. Collier's expressive, shaded black-and-white cartoon characters are complemented by a limited palette of hot pink, mustard yellow, grass green, and powder blue--a strong design choice that makes the story feel timeless and familiar. A tender friendship story for the ages. (Graphic fiction. 6-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.