I'll Be Your Friend, Smudge! - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 2-Two books that address universal problems of childhood. After a little mouse and her loving, fatherlike friend, Stripe, move to a new home, Smudge laments that she has no friends to invite to her birthday party. Hare finds her crying and immediately befriends her and introduces her to others. The story ends happily as the new playmates gather for a birthday tea, prepared by Stripe. In Grumpy Day, Smudge awakens on a rainy morning and everything seems to be going wrong. Irritable and grouchy, she leaves home promising never to return. But later in the day, when she meets her friends and the sun shines, her dark mood gradually lifts. Stripe welcomes her back for supper and all is well. Colorful illustrations depict anthropomorphic animals clothed in sweaters, overalls, or playsuits. Children will love Smudge with all of her foibles and will find security in the ever-patient Stripe. These titles are pleasant additions to picture-book collections, with one quibble. The back-cover flaps hide the last pages of text. Luckily, if one discards the book jacket, the actual cover has the same bright picture displayed.
Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX
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