Heidi McKinnonCritiques

A little bit dark humor, a lot funny.

This is my favorite picture book of 2018. I laughed out loud twice. I read it at story time (even though weird books don't often play well at story time) and all of the grown-ups laughed and all the kids were like, "Whaaaaaaaaaat." It's just so great.

64

The struggle is real. This is cute.

Found at the Imagination Bookshop in Greenfield

What goes around, comes around.½

This is one of those types of books, which fits perfectly to a read in a comfy chair and guarantees, at least, a snuggle or cuddle or two.

Baz and Benz are best friends, but when the one wonders if it will always be that way, things start to get a bit silly. The back and forth between the two is very simple...great for even the youngest listeners...and packs tons of emotion. At first, I thought the illustrations were a bit simple in so far that they don't offer a lot outside of Baz and Benz each sitting in a tree, but as the tale goes on, it becomes clear that this can't be done any other way without ruining the focus. In other words, the illustrations fit masterfully in with the text.

This is a tale with tons and tons of heart, which makes it clear just how important, patient, and enduring true friendship is. It's the type of relationship, which makes all the difference in life, and one kids truly need to believe in and have. But this isn't a completely serious read...because what kid really wants that? Baz and Benz tease each other and pull a few funny stunts, which are sure to tug a smirk, a giggle, and even a laugh. Wrap the entire thing up with the fuzzy, warm message at the end, and it's a perfect read-aloud, which leaves more than a smile behind.