Petal and Poppy (Green Light Readers: Level 2)

As she did in Felicity & Cordelia: A Tale of Two Bunnies, Clough pairs up an adventure seeker and a worrywart in this addition to the publisher's Green Light Readers line of leveled readers. Though Petal the elephant enjoys practicing her tuba, her playing ("BAH-BWAB-BAAH!") irks rhino Poppy, who decides to go scuba diving to escape the din. Imagining the calamities that might await her friend, Petal insists on accompanying Poppy in her sailing dinghy. The sound of Petal's music guides Poppy to the boat when she gets lost in the fog, and Poppy in turn rescues Petal after she jumps in the water to look for her friend. The story unfolds entirely through the characters' tidy dialogue and musings, which appear in speech and thought balloons. Briant's (Don't Look Now) illustrations also play a vital role in the storytelling; the action moves forward in rectangular comics-style panels, and the bright teals and oranges of his palette help make the friends' seaside home feel inviting and picturesque. This odd couple also stars in Petal and Poppy and the Penguin, due simultaneously. Ages 6-8. (Apr.)

K-Gr 2--In this first book in the new series, Clough introduces readers to best friends Petal and Poppy. Petal is a worrier who loves to play the tuba, while Poppy is always up for an adventure. One sunny day while Petal is practicing her tuba, Poppy decides to escape the loud noise and go scuba diving. Petal sees Poppy leaving, and begins to worry about all of the bad things that could happen to Poppy in the ocean, so she asks if she can go too. Unfortunately, Petal is too scared to scuba dive, so she sits in the boat worrying and practicing her tuba while Poppy explores the ocean. Although Petal is scared, she doesn't hesitate to jump in to look for Poppy when she begins to worry about her friend's safety. Clough uses several multi-syllable words that emerging readers may find challenging. An additional purchase for beginning reader collections.--Joy Poynor, Rogers Public Library, AR

The fog leaves me agog.
—Lemony Snicket

The story unfolds entirely through the characters' tidy dialogue and musings, which appear in speech and thought balloons. . . the action moves forward in rectangular comics-style panels, and the bright teals and oranges of his palette help make the friends' seaside home feel inviting and picturesque.
—Publishers Weekly

The simple story with clear, bright art demonstrates that friends do not always need to agree and bobs along as buoyantly as sun across the water...A blithe and breezy charmer.
—Kirkus

The vibrant, graphic illustrations in comics-style panels and text aimed skillfully at newly emergent readers combine to tell a heartwarming story of how unexpected courage, kindness, and compromise can strengthen friendships. New readers will look forward to more adventures from Petal and Poppy.
—Booklist