Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast

What initially looks like a cozy refrigerator tête-à-tête quickly becomes a no-holds-barred competition as Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast race through a landscape of leftovers as they try to secure the last drop of maple syrup. Newcomer Funk’s rhymes never skip a beat (though, at one point, Lady Pancake does skip over two beets), and he delights in transforming the fridge and its contents into an arena filled with perils: “Caught behind dressings, one Russian, one Ranch,/ she squeezed out and started a bean... avalanche!” Kearney (Flying Machines) is equally inspired, personifying nearly every foodstuff with dot eyes and a U-shaped smile, while also giving the competitors a playfully regal air, even as they become stained with jelly and chili. It’s a classic case of the journey outshining the destination—the race is so silly and fun that readers may feel let down by the villain who swoops in to snag the syrup and the halfhearted nods toward friendship and sharing that close out the story. Ages 5–up. Author’s agent: Kathleen Rushall, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agency: Plum Pudding Illustration. (Sept.)