Rat and Roach Rock On!

K-Gr 1—In this sequel to Rat and Roach Friends to the End (Viking, 2012), Covell demonstrates the value of compromise. The junkyard band successfully overrules Roach's proposed pink-and-green-starred costumes since the clothes don't mesh with their urban style. At the Big City Jam, Roach gets stage fright: "I can't sing! My sparkle's gone." Good friend Rat's solution is to bring back the Elvis-style attire, boosting Roach's confidence and resulting in a rousing success for the group. Using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, Covell also claims to employ "assorted smudges and scraps from Dumpster dives." He maintains minimal compositions in the textured, earth-toned backgrounds and compelling details like a tuna-can drum set. The cat audience with glowing green eyes and Rat's offer of "trashy treats" like a mushy banana or a pair of lucky underwear keep the humor going.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA