K-Gr 2—In this sequel to The Meeting (Lerner, 2010), in which Mr. Badger and Mrs. Fox met and blended their families, Ginger Fox is having some trouble adjusting to her new life, which includes two badger stepbrothers. In the end she realizes that having a bigger family can only bring more rewards and is happy with her situation. Luciani uses animal characters to bring to life the feelings and frustrations that can develop when children are faced with family changes. The pros and cons that Ginger experiences suggest a realistic view of modern families instead of an idealistic "Happily ever after." The watercolor illustrations help set the mood and provide a great deal of depth to each panel. Each strip depicts Ginger's feelings and makes the text come alive. A good choice for the youngest graphic-novel fans.—Catherine Brenner, Bethlehem Public Library, Delmar, NY
Ginger the fox and badgers Bristle, Grub, and Berry are new stepsiblings. While getting to know one another better, the squabbling cubs live out the daily joys and struggles of life in a blended family. The situations are relatable for some readers, but the text is stilted and moralistic. Cartoon-panel illustrations are lively, but they all look the same.
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