FICTION

Blue & Bertie

by Kristyna LITTEN
illus. by Kristyna Litten. 32p. ebook available. S. & S./Paula Wiseman Bks. Jun. 2016. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781481461542.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—Bertie is indistinguishable from the other yellow, spotted giraffes, both in appearance and behavior. His existence is so routine that he panics when he finds himself alone and having to make decisions on his own. "What should I do?" he says as he paces around a rock. A blue giraffe sees Bertie and offers to show him the way home. But Blue introduces Bertie to far more than the path home. He teaches him about birds and rare flowers that live among them, and he encourages him to feel free. In return, Bertie gives Blue friendship and a home where he can feel accepted, even though he stands out from the herd. The simple artwork is expressive and engaging. The text, which rhymes at times, adds emotion and heart to characters who are already brimming with personality.
VERDICT A sweet, empowering story to share one-on-one or in a storytime. Kids will embrace Bertie and Blue.
Reviewed by Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada
Separated from the other giraffes, Bertie meets Blue (also a giraffe, but blue), who introduces Bertie to his unfamiliar and wondrous home. In turn, Bertie brings his friend back to his herd to share these new experiences. Stylized illustrations contrast the predictable yellow giraffe world with the magical, delicately portrayed environment Blue inhabits, its beauty lending credibility to the herd's instant and unhesitating acceptance.
, Jun 01, 2016

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