July 19, 2021
Packed with food puns and speech bubbles, this picture book fable by Perl features warring factions of anthropomorphic vegetables and desserts. Cookie, a big-eyed chocolate chip variety, and Carrot, a similarly large-eyed orange specimen with a fluffy green stem, become fast friends when they meet in the park one day. “Carrot taught Cookie to dip,” one page reads, showing the duo stepping into a bowlful of hummus; on the next, “Cookie taught Carrot to dunk” attends an image of the pair holding their breath in a glass of milk. But when each snack’s other friends express their derision—and each friend, in turn, fails to defend the other—their friendship takes a sour turn, until Cookie consults Aunt C.C., a slice of carrot cake. Geisel Honoree Fenske offers bright, uncluttered cartoon art in this comedic tale of friendship and tolerance. Ages 4–6.
September 1, 2021
PreS-Gr 1-Cookie and Carrot are the best of friends. Carrot is grounded and supportive while Cookie is sweet with a warm personality. Even though they're different, they share their hobbies and teach each other new things. Their friendship is tested when Cookie's friends, Cupcake and Lollipop, say mean things about Carrot. When Cookie doesn't defend Carrot, this makes Carrot not want to hang out with Cookie. Then Carrot's friends, Cuke and Zuke, say mean things about Cookie and the rift between the two friends widens when Carrot doesn't speak up. Carrot and Cookie learn that even though they come from different backgrounds that doesn't mean they can't be good friends. They even gather all of Cookie's family members and both friend groups together to prove that they can get along. The picture book's color scheme is vibrant and colorful for a visually engaging reading experience. The backgrounds creatively use different food items as the building blocks for the setting. The work provides an important lesson about standing up for your friends. It also reminds the audience that they can be friends with all types of people regardless of where they're from or to what food group they belong! It is a timely reminder to respect people from different backgrounds and recognize that the stale ideas of the past shouldn't dictate the future. VERDICT This tale of two unlikely friends is sure to delight.-Myiesha Speight, formerly at Towson Univ., Baltimore
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