Little Elliot, Fall Friends
(Little Elliot #4)

In this charming fourth outing for Curato's polka-dotted elephant Little Elliot and his friend Mouse, the companions take a needed break from the noise and chaos of their 1940s-esque Manhattan, hopping a bus for the countryside. After arriving at an idyllic farm, the two eat apples, soak up the autumn colors, and play hide-and-seek. Elliot's hiding place in the cornfield is a little too effective, but Mouse's ingenuity and pie-making skills reunite the friends--and result in a "fall feast" with some new barnyard pals. Curato's lush illustrations revel in the calm of rural expanses ("The country is even bigger than the city!" Elliot exclaims), creating a sense of palpable relief as the friends relax. Never underestimate the power of a getaway to rejuvenate one's spirits and friendships. Ages 4-8. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Aug.)

PreS-Gr 1--Little Elliot, the tiny, polka-dotted elephant of Little Elliot, Big City and Little Elliot, Big Family, and his friend Mouse need a break from the hustle and bustle of New York City. So it's off to the country to take in the autumnal foliage. Little Elliot panics when Mouse fails to find him during a game of hide-and-go-seek, but the pachyderm smells something sweet and heads to a farmhouse. There, he finds a pie, which Mouse and some new pals baked to lure him out, and the tale ends with a fall feast and a cozy night beneath the stars. Making excellent use of light and shadow, the painterly illustrations are sumptuous, dominated by oranges, reds, and golds. Curato brings to life the fall countryside just as effectively as he does the urban setting. However, compared with other "Little Elliot" installments, which offer rich explorations of friendship and bravery, the plot is a little unfocused. The drama around Elliot being unable to locate Mouse comes relatively late in the game and is resolved fast, and the titular "fall friends" seem to arrive out of nowhere (Mouse meets them off-page). Still, Elliot is a winsome protagonist, and the charming visuals will entice children. The gentle prose makes this book suitable for a quiet storytime or a soothing bedtime read. VERDICT Recommended as an additional purchase or for collections where Little Elliot fans abound.--Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal