Sergio Ruzzier has created the new must read for the Elephant and Piggie fans. As well as fans of other characters that have…. well, character!
Patient, calm and thoughtful Fox and impulsive, hyper and flighty Chick are an odd duo. In fact, how can they be friends? But these two make it work. They have a number of adventures from “using the bathroom” to painting a portrait (that started out as painting a landscape). And while each of these adventures might not work out as planned, it comes together as needed. And makes their friendship stronger.
Unfortunately, Fox and Chick will not become friends of mine. The stories have little in the way of a message. Chick never seems to learn any lessons in why sometimes their way of thinking is not always the best. Fortunately, the child just starting with reading the longer chapter format will get a kick out of these antics. What child has not been in need of a snack after three bowls of soup? And what child has not had trouble sitting still for a while? Especially on a hard rock? And what parent has not had to have some great patience when a child has gotten “an idea” into their head?
The watercolor illustrations Ruzzier has created in Fox & Chick: The Party: And Other Stories reflect a graphic novel-comic format. Half-way between picture book and “chapter book” this is a great “starter” book. The sparseness of both text and illustrations do not overwhelm, yet give just enough to move the story along.