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!

2013 Caldecott Honor Book
"Energetic line and dizzying perspective combine for a rollicking tale of Father, Elliot and a highly improbably pet (or two). Buzzeo's text, brimming with sly wordplay, earns its perfect counterpoint in Small's ink, watercolor and pencil illustrations with chilly details and visual jokes that invite many repeated readings." CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center) Choice 2013

New York Times Best Seller!

CCBE (Cooperative Children’s Book Center) Choice 2013

2013-2014 Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award Nominee

2013-14 Red Clover Award (Vermont Picture Book Award) Nominee

2014 Grand Canyon Readers Award Nominee

2014 South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee

2014 Illinois Monarch Award Nominee

2014 Nevada Young Readers Award Nominee (Picture Book Category)

Mackin Select K-2 Starred Selection March 2012

Junior Library Guild Selection

Children's Book of the Month Club Main Selection

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

"Buzzeo's zany story is matched by the laugh-out-loud illustrations by 2001 Caldecott Medalist David Small. Using a main palette of black and while, Small injects color into his illustrations at crucial points, adding both humor and verve."~ The Seattle Times, March 17, 2012