King of Cool (One Cool Duck #1)

Petrik (The Silly Sounds of Christmas) offers a goofy graphic novel chapter book series launch starring bright green Duck, the effortlessly cool leader of a pack of anthropomorphized animal kids living in an idyllic woodland neighborhood. Shades-wearing Duck can “kickflip on a skateboard” and routinely scores highest at the arcade, and his vibe is never aloof—always affable and affirming. But newcomer Cat represents cool’s dark side: he’s arrogant, contemptuous, and inconsiderate. Duck calls him out (“That wasn’t very nice, Cat,” says Duck when the feline swipes Pig’s pizza slice), but Cat’s charisma eventually wins over the rest of Duck’s friend group, dampening the fowl’s spirit. Bummed, he retreats home and puts away his shades, but reassurance from Grandpa Duck prompts Duck’s return to local neighborhood hot spots, where he rescues Cat from an ill-advised tree-diving stunt. Chastened Cat admits he’s “been acting like a not-so-nice crumbbum,” and Duck invites him to officially join his crew. Dialogue sometimes reads a bit outdated, often feeling as if it’s emulating 1950s greaser speech, but the digital illustrations have plenty of authentic verve, thanks to the bright, saturated palette; energetic, expertly paced compositions; and an eager cast savoring their summer independence. Ages 6–9. (May)