05/25/2020
In this mellow story exploring friendship and self-understanding, Alfred the opossum is perpetually nervous, so he often instinctively “freezes and plays dead.” Since he deems making friends “too terrifying to contemplate,” the marsupial is lonely, until, while browsing an outdoor bookshelf, he notices Sophia the armadillo doing the same, and—in one of the story’s wittier pictures—he immediately freezes, prone on the ground, atop a book titled Nothing to Fear. Similarly startled, Sophia automatically curls up into a ball, and after the two have “unfroze” and “unfurled,” they recognize their common bond. Reinhardt (Blue Ethel) expands the scope of her tale as the protagonists’ newfound camaraderie and mutual support awakens a broader empathy, driving them to reach out to their fellow skittish woodland creatures. As a result, the other characters (including a chameleon, porcupine, skunk, and tortoise) eschew their isolating defense mechanisms and enjoy time together. The author’s minimal text leaves the primary storytelling role to her gently dappled, luminous mixed-media art, which features springtime hues and an anthropomorphized cast. Notes on the spotlighted animals’ self-protective behaviors cap this sensitive tale. Ages 4–7. Agent: Marietta Zacker, Gallt & Zacker Literary. (July)
"Reinhardt has created a great story of acceptance, friendship, identity, and empathy that will reassure young readers dealing with their own anxieties. The semi-realistic illustrations are endearing and often funny, softly rendered in watercolor, ink, colored pencil, and collage." — Booklist
"The author’s minimal text leaves the primary storytelling role to her gently dappled, luminous mixed-media art, which features springtime hues and an anthropomorphized cast. Notes on the spotlighted animals’ self-protective behaviors cap this sensitive tale." — Publishers Weekly
"A gentle readaloud about the need for even the most nervous of beings to have a trusted friend, with whom they can be themselves without judgment. Reinhardt’s illustrations are cozily humorous." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Reinhardt tells this story in a linear fashion, making the plot line and character development easy to follow. Rather than focusing on the scary aspects of meeting someone new or being the center of attention, the humorous elements of an animals’ defense mechanism are highlighted....richly toned watercolor landscapes filled with flowers and curlicues....An additional purchase for libraries needing to expand their social-emotional learning picture book collection." — School Library Journal
"Throughout, Reinhardt’s comical depictions of the fearful animals provoke laughter but are never meanspirited." — Horn Book Magazine
06/01/2020
PreS-Gr 1— Alfred, an opossum, plays dead anytime he's the center of attention. His nervousness contributes to his friendlessness; until he meets Sofia, an armadillo who rolls into a ball when scared. The two become best friends. Together, they make it their mission to reach out to other nervous animals with kindness, patience, understanding, and forgiveness. Reinhardt tells this story in a linear fashion, making the plot line and character development easy to follow. Rather than focusing on the scary aspects of meeting someone new or being the center of attention, the humorous elements of an animals' defense mechanism are highlighted. For instance, Sofia uses Alfred's paralyzed, outstretched hands for her yarn while she waits for him to unfreeze. The anthropomorphized animals wear clothes, such as beribboned straw hats and denim overalls, as they caper about on two feet through richly toned watercolor landscapes filled with flowers and curlicues. Ink and colored pencil are overlaid to bring out details. An author's note separates fact and fiction when it comes to defense mechanisms in the animal world. A glossary provides information about featured species. VERDICT An additional purchase for libraries needing to expand their social-emotional learning picture book collection.—Amy Seto Forrester, Denver P.L.
2020-03-29
Two frightened animals deal with loneliness. Can they become friends?
Alfred, a possum, freezes and plays dead whenever he’s nervous. This is problematic, as he’s frequently nervous. Making friends seems unachievable. Then Alfred meets Sofia, an armadillo. She’s also nervous—and when an armadillo feels nervous, it curls into a ball. On their first encounter, each adopts their signature coping strategy. However, realizing they have something in common, the potential pals unfreeze and uncurl and feel better about themselves and each other. Best of all, with time and patience, each comes to understand the other: When Sofia occasionally curls or Alfred freezes, each calmly waits it out, knowing “that when they became themselves again, they would see a friend.” Eventually, the duo’s newfound confidence helps them recognize that some neighbors feel anxious, too, and they reach out with empathetic paws. This is a sweet, reassuring story with a plea for understanding and acceptance of differences that will strike a resonant chord with kids. Alfred, in blue overalls, even when hanging from a branch by his prehensile tail, and Sofia, in her red-flowered hat, even curled up, are the endearing stars of the lively, expressive illustrations. Minimal text on pages and ample white space focus attention on protagonists and action in a woodland setting. Backmatter discusses a variety of animal defense mechanisms.
No playing around: Here’s a charming tale that kids will return to again and again. (Picture book. 3-6)
