The Laurie Keller Library, Vol. II

K-Gr 3—In author/illustrator Laurie Keller's zany world, inanimate objects like states, doughnuts, and teeth are brought to life. In Arnie the Doughnut, the pastries in a bakery have personality. The powdered sugar doughnut has the drawl of a Southern woman, a bear claw growls, and a French cruller greets viewers with a bonjour. When Arnie is bought for breakfast, he convinces his new friend to spare him, and he assumes the character of a dog in a doughnut's body. Open Wide: Tooth School Inside depicts a classroom of teeth. Keller's books are full of marginalia rife with puns and minidramas. Animation brings an extra layer to the tales—imagine a tooth moving through the nine stages of reactions to a cavity, including panic, depression, and anger, made even more dramatic by voice actors. In Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners, a rabbit learns that his new neighbors are otters, and the news is shared with fear and the sound of blowing raspberries. This segment would be a great springboard to a discussion on how we treat others, especially those who are not like us. Bonus material includes an interview with Keller, who talks about her influences and her process. This high-quality production is enhanced by talented animators, actors, and music.