Jeff Goes Wild

PreS-K--Jeffrey Fluffy McSnuggle-Tum, or Jeff for short, is an orange-striped cat fueled by a huge imagination and a strong sense of self. On a rainy afternoon, he uses both to become a tiger with hilarious results. Jeff begins his prowling about in his home, but soon falls asleep on a chair and dreams he is in a jungle acting as a tiger until he meets one. Rozelaar (The Great Pumpkin Contest) creates a playful space of repetition children will want to reenact as Jeff shows off his claws and bellows a mighty roar. Gouache and collage are used for the digital artwork, which brings movement, depth, and dynamism to the spreads. Jeff's sassiness and cleverness sparkle across his face and in words, especially when he meets the dream tiger, and he quickly adapts without losing his sense of self. VERDICT Every library needs Jeff to empower children to be themselves, dream big, and that it's okay to be a little wild.--Rachel Zuffa, Case H.S., Racine, WI