The heartfelt story builds from a simple premise, with a fast pace and intriguing details that all lead up to the author’s message of family and friends holding more significance than material belongings. Readers will be absorbed by the search for Ripley’s locket: the animals all do their own part, including Nash the squirrel, who tries to convince Ripley to accept a variety of nuts instead of her locket, and a regal turkey, the “Mayor” of the Oakland Rose Garden, who invites Ripley to dig through the contents of the Garden’s lost and found.
Mark Herrick’s watercolor illustrations are as vibrant and expressive as the cast of characters but tastefully never outshine them, working with the dialogue-driven text to create an immersive experience. Ultimately, Ripley comes to the realization that despite her love for the glittery locket, the lost item just isn’t “special like my family and friends.” That insight rises naturally from a story whose wonderland of creatures come together for a cause that requires their unique strengths to succeed. A preview of Ripley’s next adventure will entice eager fans, and this friendship themed read will be a welcome addition to any animal lover’s shelf.
Takeaway: Cat and critter lovers will savor the art and the message of friendship.
Great for fans of: Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel’s The Little Red Pen, Eric Rohmann’s My Friend Rabbit.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
