Max and Marla Are Having a Picnic

PreS-Gr 1—This sequel to Max and Marla celebrates spring as the boy and his owl friend diligently prepare for a picnic by the lake. The menu includes cheese and a baguette and Grandma's gugelhupf. Marla's assistance is spotty as she keeps getting into tight spaces, but once she dons her red bonnet for their bike ride, readers anticipate "the best picnic EVER." After setting up, Max leaves Marla to secretly gather a bouquet for her; but as she naps, a scurry of squirrels steals a good part of the feast. Max is annoyed and he and Marla refuse to even look at each other, but after cooling off at home, Max begins to miss their evening rituals, so he gathers some yard flowers for his friend and they raid the refrigerator together for a snug indoor picnic. There are many cozy scenes, like the pair tossing up the picnic blanket, and tiny but plump Marla balancing on Max's feet. Each cartoon block is simple perfection, such as Boiger's foreshadowing of the squirrel invasion.