Review by Booklist Review
When Goat and Bunny discover that they both like the same brand of canned grass on their toast, they become fast friends. They both like coffee and exploring, as well. But they have differences, too--Goat thinks Bunny puts too much sugar in his coffee, Goat gets upset when they miss their train, and Goat is too big to fit into Bunny's burrow for dinner. But it is all okay, because there are new coffees to try, next trains to catch, and outdoor picnics to attend. A delightful book originally written in both English and Chinese, It is Okay celebrates individuality and differences between friends. The beret-wearing goat and extremely long-eared bunny are wacky and wonderful as they wander through their whimsically decorated world. The illustrations are rendered in a mixed-media presentation incorporating delightfully textured and deliciously imprecise colored pencil, collage, wax pastel, and watercolor, and the overall effect is charming and entirely, utterly original. This sweet and simple picture book is more than okay; it is a playful and unconventional mini-adventure.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Opposites attract when Goat and Bunny strike up a friendship. When Goat discovers that he's run out of his favorite canned grass, he heads to the supermarket to buy more and walks right into a meet-cute with Bunny, who also enjoys this delicacy. Though they have little else in common, they become fast friends. While both frequent the same coffee shop, Goat, who takes his coffee black, thinks Bunny adds too much sugar. "But it is okay, because they can still enjoy coffee together." The titular phrase is repeated when small mishaps occur: when the two briefly get lost in the woods, when they miss their train, and when Goat can't fit through the door to Bunny's warren. No matter what, these friends' mutual support and respect are on full display. The spare text of Guo's English-language debut doesn't offer a full story arc, but rather brief episodes fleshed out by fully realized visual characterization and whimsical settings. Throughout, illustrations with monoprint backgrounds and details added in pencil, colored pencil, pastel and wax pastel, watercolor pen, ink, and collage display impressive command of multimedia in a style somewhat reminiscent of Maira Kalman's work, with a dash of Oliver Jeffers to boot. A stellar story of pals weathering ups and downs with aplomb. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
