Bookie & Cookie

June 10, 2024
The round-headed, toylike protagonists of this meta fable each live on one side of the book’s opposing pages. Residing on the verso, Bookie is a bespectacled bibliophile portrayed with brown skin and a brimmed hat; on the recto, pale-skinned Cookie is an avid baker who sports a chef’s toque. Once best friends, they now find themselves stewing on their respective sides. Gómez (A Place for Rain), working in single-plane digital and paper collage artwork, explains why: their get-togethers are “always in the right-hand page of the book,” and Bookie is fed up with having to cross the volume’s gutter. “My page is nice too, but you have never been there,” Bookie says; “I just like my page,” Cookie responds. “I don’t like what I don’t know.” The figurative and literal breach is bridged when Bookie hits on a clever, cookie-fueled plan—one that even propels the duo to together explore the world “outside their pages.” It’s a gentle illustration of how close friendships can require adjustments as well as give and take. Ages 3–7. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House.

August 1, 2024
Bookie and Cookie are two best friends who inhabit the facing pages of a book. Brown-skinned Bookie lives on the left-hand page and pale-skinned Cookie on the right. True to their names, Bookie loves to read and Cookie is an accomplished baker. They spend lots of time together, but Bookie soon notices they always meet on Cookie's side. Bookie invites Cookie over to his page, but Cookie resists, insisting his page is nice and there is no reason to change. When pressed, Cookie admits he doesn't like Bookie's page because it's unfamiliar. Upset, Bookie storms off, leaving both sad and alone. Each friend tries to think up a way to get the other over to their side to reconcile. Bookie tries his hand at making his own batch of cookies, using a recipe from a book, of course, and the trepidatious Cookie decides to try something new--having a cookie with Bookie on the left-hand page. Bookie and Cookie demonstrate that conflict between friends isn't a deal breaker, but rather an opportunity to deepen a relationship and practice flexibility. Illustrations are bright and charming, crafted from a delightful array of bold shapes that add playful details to the story. The book emphasizes that understanding and compromise are essential for resolving conflicts and strengthening friendships. Social-emotional learning done right.(Picture book. 3-7)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 Bookie and Cookie, two little fellows with large, spherical heads, are best friends. They enjoy being together, but they don't agree on everything. Bookie's home has lots of books, while Cookie's home is well stocked with cookies. Bookie always goes to Cookie's place, but Cookie won't go to Bookie's place--no matter how many times he's invited. Each prefers his own home, but neither is as happy alone; now, each is angry with the other. Bookie decides to bake cookies. How can Cookie resist? When Bookie invites Cookie over, he graciously accepts. The friendship is mended and both are happy, as they are always together now, in one home or the other. Each double-page spread is divided in order to show both character's homes, side by side. Bookie's rooms appear on the left, while Cookie's are on the right. The text tells the characters' stories, but there's plenty to enjoy in the uncluttered, engaging illustrations. Created with paper collages and digital elements, they clearly depict the characters tastes and emotional states. An inviting, original picture book.

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August 16, 2024

Toddler-PreS-In both English and Spanish editions, Bookie and Cookie are good friends who live in different apartments, where one enjoys reading, while the other one is fond of baking and cooking. They always spend time together at Cookie's place, shown on the righthand page. Bookie is tired of going there when they should also be hanging out together at Bookie's place, on the left. After a brief conflict, they learn about the power of friendship and reaching consensus, all with warm baked goods. G�mez's trademark illustrations and meta-textual narrative depict the individual personalities and apartments, as well as the connection between the two main characters. The book encourages readers to try new things, reflect before making decisions, and expand beyond their comfort zones sometimes-even outside the pages of the book. The bold illustrations with white backgrounds and its minimal text make this a good pick for beginning readers and an excellent read-aloud for toddler storytimes. VERDICT These characters will charm kids in both languages; a good purchase for picture book collections.-Sujei Lugo

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