Description
Can a perky little bird with an eye for neatness and a very messy monster find a way to be friends?
Kalinka’s a showy little bird with an eye for neatness, but her grumpy neighbor Grakkle doesn’t care one bit about cleaning. He just wants to relax in his favorite chair and soak his feet in a cool bucket of pickle juice. “Grakk!” he complains as Kalinka “tidies up” his messes. “You’re welcome,” she responds. They simply aren’t on the same wavelength. Can an unfortunate accident plus a little humor and empathy help an odd couple like this see eye to eye?
Reviews
“The momentarily dire consequences and subsequent détente are familiar, but Paschkis’s innate effervescence more than compensates. She fills the oversize pages with curly ink lines and folk art motifs and colors; it’s cozy and cheery, yet it still delivers on the big dramatic moment. While the narration tends toward the see-and-say, Paschkis writes with concision and an ear for words that make for great readalouds.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Kalinka’s blithe cluelessness and Grakkle’s grunting ire should tickle young listeners. Paschkis’ colorful and quirky illustrations, rendered in ink and gouache, heighten the supreme silliness of her tale…. Another cute odd-friendship story.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Humorous monster details will pull in readers for this lighthearted tale of an unusual friendship.” ―Booklist
“[A] fictitious tale that reads more like a modern-day fable….an important lesson about the value of self-control… A strong emphasis on friendship provides a solid theme for this book.” ―School Library Journal
“Charming… This is an appealing picture book that children will love based on the characters and the engaging illustrations. The book is also great for teaching lessons, for instance that not everyone is the same nor wants the same things.…teachers will love to use it for various lessons throughout the year with all age ranges!” ―School Library Connection
More Details
F&P: M, Gr 2, Genre F
Lexile: AD570L
Themes: Getting Along with Others, Self-Control, Unlikely Friendship
BISAC 1: JUV019000 JUVENILE FICTION / Humorous Stories
BISAC 2: JUV052000 JUVENILE FICTION / Monsters
BISAC 3: JUV039060 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship
