Toni Buzzeo, Author, Library Media Specialist

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER!
One Cool Friend debuts on the New York Times Best Seller list at #10 in Picture Books!

One Cool Friend
by Toni Buzzeo; illustrated by David Small
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012
ISBN: 978-0803734135

About the Book: "May I please have a penguin?"

That's what Elliot asks his father on Family Fun Day at the aquarium. His father thinks he MUST mean a stuffed animal rather than a pet, because he simply answers, "Sure!" and hands over a twenty-dollar bill. And so begins the sly, silly tale of an irresistible friendship. Caldecott Medallist David Small and acclaimed storyteller Toni Buzzeo revel in the mischief--and kids will too!

DOWNLOAD A One Cool Friend CURRICULUM GUIDE

Reviews and Awards

New York Times Best Seller!

Mackin Select K-2 Starred Selection March 2012!

Junior Library Guild Selection!

Children's Book of the Month Club Main Selection February 2012!

Winter 2011-2012 Kids' Indie Next Selection -- "Inspired Recommendations for Kids from Indie Booksellers"

STARRED REVIEW "Though very much a boy-and his-pet story, it's just as much about two gentlemen who appear to be orbiting entirely different planets. The revelation that they're not so dissimilar after all is about as sweet as it gets." ~ Publisher's Weekly, 10-31-2011

STARRED REVIEW "A real kid charmer that will elicit "Read it again" responses." ~ School Library Journal, 2-1-2012

"In line with Buzzeo's elegantly spare text, Small uses neutral washes with loosely drawn lines and highlights of restrained color to depict the urbane lad and his equally dapper companion making themselves comfortably at home in upper-crust digs. A happy tale of domestic amity, with a well-set-up punchline." ~ Kirkus, 12-1-2011

"This charming picture book has many humorous details throughout, and kids will likely laugh out loud at the surprise (particularly for father!) ending." ~Shelle Rosenfeld, Booklist 1-1-12

“Upon first reading, you'll think the boy-and-his-pet story at the heart of the delightful ONE COOL FRIEND is driven by gentle misunderstandings between Eliot and his father -- only to get egg on your face at the last page turn. David Small's witty illustrations are a perfect match with Toni Buzzeo's deceptively straightforward text, and the two together usher the reader right down the garden path to the warm and hilarious ending. Both the text and illustrations contain "Easter eggs" that reward multiple re-readings, so this one will entertain again and again and again.” (Starred review) ~ Nancy Werlin (quoted in full with author permission)

Home Biography Speaking Books Shop Curriculum Guides and Links Children's Book Reviews Author and Illustrator Visits Site Map E-Mail		One Cool Friend Home One Cool Friend Curriculum Guide One Cool Friend Reader's Theater Script Penguin Books Penguin Links NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER! One Cool Friend debuts on the New York Times Best Seller list at #10 in Picture Books! DOWNLOAD A One Cool Friend CURRICULUM GUIDE DOWNLOAD A One Cool Friend READER'S THEATER SCRIPT Jacket Art ©2012 by David Small One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo; illustrated by David Small Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012 ISBN: 978-0803734135 About the Book: "May I please have a penguin?" That's what Elliot asks his father on Family Fun Day at the aquarium. His father thinks he MUST mean a stuffed animal rather than a pet, because he simply answers, "Sure!" and hands over a twenty-dollar bill. And so begins the sly, silly tale of an irresistible friendship. Caldecott Medallist David Small and acclaimed storyteller Toni Buzzeo revel in the mischief--and kids will too! DOWNLOAD A One Cool Friend CURRICULUM GUIDE Reviews and Awards New York Times Best Seller! Mackin Select K-2 Starred Selection March 2012! Junior Library Guild Selection! Children's Book of the Month Club Main Selection February 2012! Winter 2011-2012 Kids' Indie Next Selection -- "Inspired Recommendations for Kids from Indie Booksellers" STARRED REVIEW "Though very much a boy-and his-pet story, it's just as much about two gentlemen who appear to be orbiting entirely different planets. The revelation that they're not so dissimilar after all is about as sweet as it gets." ~ Publisher's Weekly, 10-31-2011 STARRED REVIEW "A real kid charmer that will elicit "Read it again" responses." ~ School Library Journal, 2-1-2012 "In line with Buzzeo's elegantly spare text, Small uses neutral washes with loosely drawn lines and highlights of restrained color to depict the urbane lad and his equally dapper companion making themselves comfortably at home in upper-crust digs. A happy tale of domestic amity, with a well-set-up punchline." ~ Kirkus, 12-1-2011 "This charming picture book has many humorous details throughout, and kids will likely laugh out loud at the surprise (particularly for father!) ending." ~Shelle Rosenfeld, Booklist 1-1-12 “Upon first reading, you'll think the boy-and-his-pet story at the heart of the delightful ONE COOL FRIEND is driven by gentle misunderstandings between Eliot and his father -- only to get egg on your face at the last page turn. David Small's witty illustrations are a perfect match with Toni Buzzeo's deceptively straightforward text, and the two together usher the reader right down the garden path to the warm and hilarious ending. Both the text and illustrations contain "Easter eggs" that reward multiple re-readings, so this one will entertain again and again and again.” (Starred review) ~ Nancy Werlin (quoted in full with author permission)