One Cool Friend

A happy tale of domestic amity, with a well-set-up punchline.

This charming picture book has many humorous details throughout, and kids will likely laugh out loud at the surprise (particularly for father!) ending.

Suitable for both story time and closer observation, the illustrations (including the comical Magellan) complement the child-friendly premise and will certainly attract young readers to this quirky tale.

Elliot's father wears a dorky plaid suit and works as some sort of naturalist. He's also pretty absentminded, so when Elliot--a quiet, rosy-cheeked boy who prefers tuxedos--brings home a Magellanic penguin, he doesn't notice. Small's (Elsie's Bird) ink-and-watercolor drawings are as urbane as Elliot's bow tie, and he creates a magnificent mansion for Elliot and his father. Elliot fixes up a bedroom ice rink with the air conditioner and hose, puts Magellan to bed in the freezer, and takes him swimming in the bathtub. Buzzeo (the Adventure Annie books) gives Elliot courtly manners ("Thank you for inviting me" is his response to his father's suggestion they visit the aquarium) and a quick wit. The book's humor is built on gentle misunderstandings between father and son (when Elliot asks for a penguin, his father assumes he means a stuffed one from the aquarium gift shop). Though very much a boy-and-his-pet story, it's just as much about two gentlemen who appear to be orbiting entirely different planets. The revelation that they're not so dissimilar after all is about as sweet as it gets. Ages 5-8. (Jan.)

Copyright 2011 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2--Elliot's father often seems less than focused. So when they visit the aquarium and Elliot asks for a penguin, his father doesn't even blink as he brings one home in his backpack. Elliot gets to know his new friend, and reports on the experience to his seemingly muddle-minded father. But perhaps Dad has more in common with his son than you might suppose. This sweet and unexpected story by Toni Buzzeo (Dial, 2012) is read clearly and crisply by Chris Sorensen. No sound effects or music come between the listener and the text. The book is highly dependent on David Small's delightfully subdued watercolor illustrations, with a fun surprise ending that you literally have to see to believe, so make sure to have it available. Paired with the book, the audiobook would make a dandy listening center and bring a grin to the face of any listener.--Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Elliot, clad in a proper black suit, discovers the perfect pet when he and his dad visit the aquarium . . . Charming illustrations [draw] the eye to funny little details . . . Highly recommended." (starred) — Library Media Connection

"The comic characterizations of Elliott and his father, and Small's lively ink, watercolor, and colored pencil illustrations [...] will make this a popular choice for both reading aloud and reading alone." — BCCB

2013 Caldecott Honor Book
2013 Notable Children's Book
New York Times Best Seller
Junior Library Guild Selection