Giraffe and Jackal Are Friends (Again!)

Jackal is furious when best friend Giraffe befriends Aardvark, the new animal in class. “I don’t want to play with anyone but you!” Jackal yips at Giraffe. Spurning invitations to be included, Jackal intentionally sends unwitting Aardvark into a dangerous encounter with the school bullies—lions. Just as a hand-lettered “ROOOAR! ROOOAR!” overwhelms frightened Aardvark’s “Grunt! Snort! Squeak!” Jackal rescues Aardvark, and with a little nudging from Giraffe, realizes he hasn’t lost his place in his friend’s heart. Text by Robinson (The Sweetest Scoop) and mediator Mackenzie tackles the familiar theme of shifting friendship dynamics with a distinctly pedagogical voice; an afterword acknowledges the inspiration of Nonviolent Communication, a conflict-resolution methodology. The story gets its immediacy and emotional heft from sketch-like artwork by debut illustrator Michels, rendered in an intriguing mix of textures resembling marker, ink, woodblock, and watercolor. Each visual characterization is a little gem: generous, even-tempered Giraffe is almost an embellished stick figure, Jackal is a rangy swirl of moody black, and Aardvark is cute and benign, with appendages curving this way and that. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent (for Robinson): Alyssa Eisner Henkin, Birch Path Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary. (Nov.)

Correction: A previous version of this review misstated the illustrator's name.