FICTION

Shorty & Clem

by Michael SLACK
illus. by Michael Slack. 40p. HarperCollins. Apr. 2017. Tr. $17.99. ISBN 9780062421586. POP
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—Fans of Mo Willems's "Pigeon" books and the "Elephant and Piggie" series will appreciate this unlikely pair of friends. Shorty is a shortysaurus (a very small dinosaur), and Clem is a quail. Clem goes out one day, and Shorty finds a package addressed to his friend. He knows he shouldn't open it but still tries to figure out what is inside. Finally, Shorty's curiosity is too much to bear, and he opens the package. Immediately struck with guilt, he hides inside the box as Clem returns. Shorty confesses, and Clem tells him the package was actually a birthday present for him, and the pair happily enjoy the gift. Featuring speech bubbles and digital images against a white background, this story shines because of the charming personalities of the characters.
VERDICT A great read-aloud or beginning read-alone and a fun addition to most collections.
Reviewed by Emily E. Lazio, New York Public Library
When dinosaur Shorty finds a package addressed to his quail friend Clem, his resolve not to open it soon crumbles. When Clem shows up, he acts outraged but then admits that the package contains Shorty's birthday gift. With dialogue-balloon-driven storytelling and the expressive, digitally illustrated animal duo set against stark backgrounds, Slack borrows heavily from Mo Willems's Elephant & Piggie books--and does it beautifully.
 , Apr 01, 2017

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