You Go First

April 24, 2023
There’s a new, taller, curvier slide on the playground, and close friends Cat and Duck have two very different feelings about it: Duck is outwardly eager, and Cat clearly is not, though the kitty doesn’t admit it. In the name of being “a very good friend,” Cat suggests that Duck consider the other playground options: “Duck, do you want to go on the swings first? Or in the sandbox? The sand is looking very sandy today.” Finally, after creating several delays, and insisting Duck don wholly unnecessary protective gear, Cat’s anxieties pour out. “Duck, I must warn you. If you go down that slide, you may fall! And scream! And cry!” Duck sadly acquiesces, “even if I was looking forward to it,” but the story keeps going, ending on a note of small triumph for both of the friends. In a second match-up from collaborators Bernstein and Rosenthal (We Love Fishing!), character-forward playground vignettes, rendered in sturdy pencil outlines and cheery digital color, are comically in sync with the interplay and mood of the deadpan, emotionally astute narration and dialogue. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Sean McCarthy, Sean McCarthy Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties.

July 1, 2023
A minor drama unfolds when Duck and Cat visit the playground and find a new taller and curvier slide. Duck is excited to try it, but Cat has concerns. Could this slide be "too exciting" or "too fun"? Rather than admit fear, Cat tries to steer Duck toward the familiar swings and sandbox, but Duck keeps gravitating back to that slide. This picture book has all the hallmarks of a beginning reader -- limited vocabulary, short sentences, strong visual support of plot, lots of sight words, and ample word repetition -- and it can serve just as well for new readers as it can for storytimes. Rosenthal's pastel-hued, cartoon-style illustrations add warmth, humor, and nuance. Duck's open facial expressions telegraph excitement, while Cat's, in contrast, cycle through worry, hope, desperation, and determination. In the end, Cat realizes that good friends don't deny friends new experiences, and the slide turns out to be enjoyable for everyone. Many books for young children explore conquering fear, but fewer contextualize how one's fear can dampen someone else's good time; this book adds something fresh to the shelf. Adrienne L. Pettinelli

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from April 1, 2023
Duck really wants to try out the new playground slide, but Cat keeps creating new ways to stop her. Two simple statements on the verso of this book's first spread set up the premise that Duck and Cat are close friends on their way to the playground to slide. Another full-page spread depicts a delightful, stylized playground populated by anthropomorphic animals, with bright-yellow, pink-ribboned Duck leading wide-eyed Cat across the foreground. But something is different today. Their usual slide has been replaced with a newer, bigger, curvier one. Expressive art with cleverly inserted dialogue shows how the new slide produces wildly different emotions in the friends: excitement in Duck, high anxiety in Cat. And with each page turn, Cat finds a way to postpone Duck's trip down the slide. Little ones will giggle and nod knowingly as the unseen narrator continues to inform us that Cat is doing all this from friendship; the art and dialogue clearly show otherwise. Duck willingly submits to every ridiculous excuse--even donning goggles and a helmet--until Cat finally convinces her not to go down the slide. Will Cat learn a lesson about true friendship? Spoiler alert: of course, and brilliantly. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Both extremely funny and spot-on sensitive. (Picture book. 3-6)

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September 29, 2023

PreS-Gr 2-Cat and Duck, two very good friends, arrive at their neighborhood playground in hopes of riding the slide when they find a surprise: a new slide! With twists and turns, the new slide presents challenges to Cat, who tries hard to convince Duck that going down it is a terrible idea. Eventually, Cat realizes that part of being a good friend is encouraging bravery through new experiences. Bernstein's whimsical tale of learning through friendship combines beautifully with Rosenthal's cheery illustrations. VERDICT A charming view of friendship and encouragement to try new things. Recommended for early readers and social-emotional learning teachers.-Brittany McMahon

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2023
A minor drama unfolds when Duck and Cat visit the playground and find a new taller and curvier slide. Duck is excited to try it, but Cat has concerns. Could this slide be "too exciting" or "too fun"? Rather than admit fear, Cat tries to steer Duck toward the familiar swings and sandbox, but Duck keeps gravitating back to that slide. This picture book has all the hallmarks of a beginning reader -- limited vocabulary, short sentences, strong visual support of plot, lots of sight words, and ample word repetition -- and it can serve just as well for new readers as it can for storytimes. Rosenthal's pastel-hued, cartoon-style illustrations add warmth, humor, and nuance. Duck's open facial expressions telegraph excitement, while Cat's, in contrast, cycle through worry, hope, desperation, and determination. In the end, Cat realizes that good friends don't deny friends new experiences, and the slide turns out to be enjoyable for everyone. Many books for young children explore conquering fear, but fewer contextualize how one's fear can dampen someone else's good time; this book adds something fresh to the shelf.

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)