Are You a Cheeseburger?

While foraging in a garbage can, a raccoon named Grub meets glowing green Seed, who has bright black eyes and a knowing smile. Seed, who is hoping to get planted, isn’t in a hurry to dissuade Grub of the notion that Seed could eventually grow into his favorite food, a “very good and very special” cheeseburger. But what starts as a relationship of mutual expediency deepens as Grub keeps watch on the patch of ground where Seed is nestled. Arnaldo’s (Time for Bed’s Story) witty mixed-media drawings keep readers slightly off-balance—in a good way—through their mix of real and fanciful elements and varying compositional tactics as the two exchange stories and deepen their bond: “Grub told Seed about the top three cheeseburgers he had ever eaten.... Seed told Grub about all the interesting things he saw down in the earth.” When Seed pops through the ground and blossoms into a flower, Grub’s face is the very picture of thwarted expectations—until he realizes how much the friendship means to him. There’s a lot of profundity within these whimsical pages—about growing up, overcoming disappointment through acceptance, and valuing relationships over personal needs—which should plant some hearty seeds of conversation for readers of all ages. Ages 4–8. [em]Agent: Alexandra Levick, Writers House. (June) [/em]