Teaflet & Roog Make a Mess

In a “higgledy-piggledy house” in Trelfdom, siblings Teaflet and Roog, who are “happy together until something goes wrong,” prepare for two events at cross purposes in this early chapter book. With wry humor, an unknown narrator introduces readers to orange-haired, pink-skinned Teaflet, who “loves helping any creature who comes to her with a problem,” and anxiety-prone Roog, a talented baker with tan skin and brown hair. Unfortunately for the success of both a highly anticipated Strawberry Jam Party and an upcoming inspection by the self-aggrandizing inspector of neatness, Teaflet’s creatures tend to make messes of Roog’s baking, putting both the inspection and the party at risk. Occasional watercolors in Dyer’s (Roly Poly) familiar art style form a restful counterpoint to Birdsall’s (the Penderwicks series) photographs of lively needle-felted sculptures constructed collaboratively by the creators. An excellent candidate for reading aloud, this sibling story combines droll humor and adorable animals to sweeten the perennially relevant theme of balancing external expectations against one’s own sense of purpose. Ages 5–9. [em](May) [/em]