Chuck and Woodchuck

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy Library, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 11, 2017

Review

Chuck's pet woodchuck, brought into school on the first show-and-tell day, is talented and friendly. At the children's insistence, the teacher agrees to let him come to school every day with Chuck. Through Woodchuck, Chuck is able to conquer his shyness and become friends with Caroline, another first grader. A warm, simple story that shows how small kindnesses can make another person happy and eventually lead to a really great friendship. A nice read-aloud with some wonderful opportunities for predictive deduction (Caroline's head is cold, woodchuck shares a hat with her; Caroline's cupcake falls on the ground, woodchuck shares a clean cupcake with her, etc.). The bright illustrations with almost gender-neutral drawings of the kids (they are more geometric in shape and wearing very gender non-specific clothing) are quirky and engaging. A lovely story about acceptance, friendship, and the power of a friendly woodchuck. This book will fit into any collection.

Overall Book Score: very good