Review by Booklist Review
When his car, an endearingly blobby, bespeckled contraption, refuses to keep going, Pickle, a green dog sporting a sailor hat, is certain he needs a new one. Each option he considers gets our long-nosed optimist into another calamitous predicament: the flashy car is too fast; the safe car is too big; the fancy car is too costly (the kindly car dealer's deadpan price quote of "a million dollars" offers a high-octane laugh). But in the background, the car dealer (and eventually, Pickle) realizes that the best choice is the one already well-known and well-loved. His own little car is simple and safe; all it needs is a tank of gas (and maybe some TLC). With simple lines and a soft palette of flat colors, often decorated with spots or dashes, the experienced illustrator populates an appealing animal world with expressive characters, each with a distinctive, silly charm. The well-paced panels of this beguiling early reader demonstrate the storyteller's skill with a gently funny tale. Another signature quirky creation that's certain to delight, especially for Richard Scarry fans.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
Pickle (a dog) and a bird friend decide to drive to Clover Farm to get some strawberries and fresh cream, but soon after they set out, the car breaks down. Instead of listening to the bird's advice ("check the engine"), Pickle exclaims, "This car is junk!" and starts a quest to purchase a new car. This beginning reader in comics format has two to six panels and multiple lines of dialogue per page, so it's best for readers who are building independence; short words and ample repetition support practice. The digital illustrations are in restful shades of blue and green that are a fine match for the story's gentle tone. The use of patterns -- particularly polka dots -- adds a sense of whimsy and visual interest as Pickle goes through the trials and tribulations of car shopping. He wants the fast car until he gets pulled over on his test drive; then he knocks over a bin of oranges while trying out an oversized SUV. And let's not even talk about the price of the fancy car. Eventually, Pickle's mechanic suggests that perhaps filling the old car's gas tank and getting a tune-up might be a better solution. Amusing and highly entertaining. Adrienne L. PettinelliMay/June 2024 p.141 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A detour on a road trip becomes an exercise in moderating vehicular expectations. Accompanied by best friend Bird, Pickle, an aptly named anthropomorphic green dog, is going to Clover Farm for some strawberries and cream. The car sputters, shakes, and spews exhaust before stopping, so they push it to Coco's Garage to try out replacement cars. What follows is a selection process that would make Goldilocks proud: Each of Pickle's choices is too fast, too large, or too expensive. All three picks get noticed by pedestrians, whether due to Pickle's speeding, the difficulty of maneuvering a bulky vehicle, or the flashy design of the last vehicle. Each experience leaves Pickle aware of what really matters in a car: "What I want is a simple, little, safe car." Coco's able to provide just that through a tune-up of Pickle's original car. Readers may evaluate the vehicles that they see in the real world in a new light after witnessing Pickle's decision-making process. A warning from a stern police bird demonstrates one consequence of ignoring the speed limit. Pickle is a conscientious protagonist who apologizes for mistakes and shares the ever-desirable strawberries and cream. The setting is filled with appealingly round shapes and subdued colors, save for a pointy roof or the newly washed finish on one of the cars. The tale offers an excellent lesson in self-awareness, pragmatism, and manners. A clever take on the trials and tribulations of replacing a busted ride. (Graphic fiction. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
