Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Moo Moo and Mr. Quackers-whose deep, U-shaped mouths and slightly askew, pinprick eyes make them look a bit like Picasso creations-return for a second outing. Moo Moo surprises Mr. Quackers by buying a restaurant using a piggy bank full of money that he discovers in their closet ("That was my life savings!" Mr. Quackers laments). Miller alternates between two-panel spreads and full-page scenes as Moo Moo prepares a disastrous multi-course meal that Mr. Quackers dutifully serves to poker-faced patrons of "Moo Moo & Mr. Quackers's Chow House." When the cuisine fails to live up to expectations (as horrified diners realize that they are eating worms), it seems their foray into the restaurant business is a bust. Miller's humor-which depends upon the woefully inept friends' ingenuous approach to their endeavor-will have readers eager for Moo Moo's next great idea. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review by Horn Book Review
Odd-couple friends Moo Moo and Mr. Quackers (Moo Moo in a Tutu) return in their second comics-format misadventure. Moo Moo's latest "best idea ever!" is to open a restaurant with her pal; predictably, the food is hilariously revolting. Typically grumpy Mr. Quackers is remarkably positive about the restaurant's inevitable flop: "At least we got to spend quality time together!" The droll Far Sideesque visual aesthetic perfectly matches the characters' oblivious dialogue. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Moo Moo and Mr. Quackers are not Bert and Ernie.Odd-couple stories have been popular for a long time and for many audiences: Oscar and Felix, Elephant and Piggie, R2-D2 and C-3P0. It's possible that the stories are successful because the characters balance each other in an almost mystical way. The fussbudget becomes a little less serious, and the goofy bon vivant becomes less reckless. But there isn't much balance in this picture book. When Moo Moo abruptly says, "We're opening up our very own restaurant!" Mr. Quackers doesn't really object even though Moo Moo has taken her friend's life savings to pay for it. He hardly complains even when it becomes clear that Moo Moo can't cook. The chef's special is "all my favorite foods mixed together." Mr. Quackers' failure to react makes Moo Moo seem overbearing. Some readers will feel sorry for the duck, but others will think he's kind of a doormat. He makes a few sardonic comments, but after crowds flee the restaurant, he just says, "At least we got to spend quality time together!" Miller's line drawings are hilarious: Moo Moo juggling a boom box and a cake; Moo Moo flying through the air, held aloft by balloons. But the character is most endearing when she doesn't speak.One half of this odd couple becomes just a little too odd. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
