Poindexter Makes a Friend

Although Poindexter is a very shy pig, he blossoms a little at the library, where he can read all he wants (and assist the librarian) without feeling the pressure to exhibit bonhomie. But when an even shyer turtle named Shelby comes to the library looking for help ("Do you have any books on how to make friends?"), Poin-dexter fully emerges from his own shell, using his ace reading and library helper skills to make his first real friend. Twohy, a New Yorker cartoonist making his children's book debut, carefully and empathically shapes his story so that Poindexter is poignant without seeming pathetic. This little piggie isn't socially inept or depressed (in fact, the neighborhood kids would be happy to have him come out and play); rather, he needs to connect to others in a way that feels authentic for him. That's why Twohy's watercolor-and-ink vignettes of his hero in the library are so touching: looking cool and assured, Poindexter embodies how a sense of purpose and competence makes us feel like we belong in the world. Ages 4%E2%80%938. (May)