The Lucky Leaf (Pine & Boof #1)

A predictable yet humorous origin story for an endearing pair. (Picture book. 4-8)

Copyright 2017 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with Permission.

PreS-K—Boof the bear is a nervous type, but his lucky leaf keeps him safe. He and the leaf do everything together, until a strong breeze blows his sidekick away. Luckily, Pine the porcupine is only too eager to help. Some of the assistance he offers is a little iffy (performing calculations, swinging on vines), but in the end, Boof's fears are calmed as he's lost his leaf but found a new friend. Burach has created an enjoyable story that is accompanied by muted, relaxing pencil and acrylic paint images. A little too much happens in the story for young audiences to keep track of, though, and some of the elements presented, such as a bikini top on the bear's head and the use of a compass, might mystify them. VERDICT Additional. A better finding-a-friend book is Phyllis Root's Toot Toot Zoom! and better losing-your-comfort-object titles are Mo Willems's Knuffle Bunny and Amber Stewart's I'm Big Enough.—Henrietta Verma, National Information Standards Organization, Baltimore