Yak and Dove

Odd-couple friendships are nothing new in children's literature, but seldom is one portrayed with the grace and sly humor Maclear and Shapiro bring to this story. Much of its appeal is in the personalities that make up this quirky dyad: hulking Yak is a well-mannered, phlegmatic introvert, while Dove is pushy, quick tempered, and a little self-important ("Yes. It's Dove," he barks into his cellphone. "Okay. Keep all my shares in futuristic gizmos"). Maclear (The Liszts) divides the story into three chapters, all told in spare but emotionally rich dialogue. The funniest chapter, "The Audition," finds Yak "lamenting" his recent estrangement from Dove and agreeing to a talent contest to find a new best friend who shares his interests and "values furriness in his companions." Shapiro (Ooko) fills her watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations with subtle comedy (the temporary winner of the talent show, a wolf, promptly latches onto Yak's tail in an attempt to eat him) and excels at depicting the quiet pleasures of being simpatico, when a look between friends says it all. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Jackie Kaiser, Westwood Creative Artists. Illustrator's agent: Charlotte Sheedy, Charlotte Sheedy Literary. (Sept.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

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An Amazon "Best of the Month" Pick (September 2017)
A Quill & Quire Best Kids' Book of the Year (2017)
One of Globe and Mail's 100 Best Books of 2017

PRAISE FOR Yak and Dove

"[A] much-needed favor to humanity in reminding us of what it takes to find, keep and take good care of true friends. . . . I smiled as I read the opening words of Yak and Dove . . . Every page of Esmé Shapiro's art is suitable for framing." —Peter Reynolds, The New York Times

"[A]uthor Kyo Maclear and illustrator Esmé Shapiro are an unassuming comedic dream team. . . . The two make a dynamite, inventive pair and they infuse the tried-and-true odd-couple premise of Yak and Dove with bursts of irresistibly sweet weirdness. . . . The story is a fresh friendship fable full of genuine kook and authentic feeling." —STARRED REVIEW, Quill & Quire

"Odd-couple friendships are nothing new in children's literature, but seldom is one portrayed with the grace and sly humor Maclear and Shapiro bring to this story." —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly

"The humor and whimsical nature of the entries are enhanced by the watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations... Yak and Dove will find a spot on the shelf amongst animal friendship stories." —School Library Journal

"Sweet and just a little bit silly, and accompanied by Shapiro's enchanting watercolour illustrations, Maclear's latest captures the frustrating absurdities and lovely payoffs that come with the most intimate of friendships." —Globe and Mail

"4/4... Yak and Dove is a story of love, a story of relationships, curious and conventional. Maclear injects a lot of humour into the text... Esmé Shapiro's quiet, but playful, illustrations are a delightful complement to the text... Highly recommended." —CM Magazine