Greetings, Floof!

PreS--Dr. Greta Goodnote introduces readers to Floof, a visitor from the planet Ploof. Listeners to the story are asked to wave hello and introduce Floof to cuddly earth animals. Unfortunately, it begins to rain, leading to issues with Floof's already fluffy hair. Listeners must take action to ensure Floof doesn't over-ploof! The operation is successful, but then in his jumping for joy, Floof bumps his head on a branch. The solution? Blow Floof a kiss, of course! This excites Floof so much that he rushes home to Ploof to share this new concept with his fellow Ploofians. Hong has written a cheerfully interactive title. Listeners are invited to shake the book, open and close the cover, blow Floof dry, and blow a kiss. Smith's illustrations have been created digitally and are shades of blue and yellow. This color scheme lends a mid-century modern feel, as does Dr. Greta's blue semi-beehive updo. Dr. Greta has light brown skin; Floof is lavender with blue highlights. VERDICT Great addition for libraries seeking interactive picture books.--Sarah Sieg

Readers make contact with a most adorable little alien. Brown-skinned Dr. Greta Goodnote, whose hair is shaped like a DNA double helix, coaches readers through a meeting with Floof. A pink and blue puffball with blue sneakers, round black eyes, and antennae, Floof hails from the planet Ploof. Dr. Goodnote instructs readers to "give a Ploofian hello. Raise your arms and jiggle them." Floof likes animals, so Dr. Goodnote encourages readers to point out any that they see. Look! Bunnies. Floof eagerly embraces them. But the next animal is a skunk! "Quick--hold your nose and turn the page." When it rains, Dr. Goodnote asks readers to "take a deep breath and blow the clouds away." Uh-oh. Floof has gotten wet. He shakes off some of the rainwater and poofs up. Opening and closing the book slowly pumps the water out of the little alien. When Floof bumps his head on a tree, readers are told to blow him some kisses. Floof has never had a kiss, and he's thrilled. Finally, he jumps back into his spaceship and, with a little more help from readers, takes off to teach his fellow Ploofians about kisses. Hong's tale, told entirely by Dr. Goodnote, will entertain and engage audiences of one or many. Floof's both goofy and endearing, brought to life by Smith's pastel-colored, thick-outlined cartoon illustrations. Interactive, intergalactic silliness, sure to please. (Picture book. 2-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.