Review by Booklist Review
Off-kilter comedy, animal antics, and occasional existential musings combine in this story of Luis (a dopey, good-natured, and optimistic bear) and Pablo (a grumpy, pessimistic mole), an odd-couple of best friends who live in the woods and embark on an adventure to the Big City. Luis and Pablo are accustomed to the stunning vistas and expansive landscape views of their home in the forest, but lately, Luis has been wondering what else is out there. Pablo is less enthusiastic-- "I think I'd be just as grumpy anywhere"--but when Luis gets two tickets to a show in the city, he's thrilled to finally be able to experience some culture. Reluctantly, Pablo tags along, but the stress of travel leads to a big conflict. With wry humor, Gordon offers a classic animal-character tale, in the vein of Frog and Toad, but with an acerbic touch of both human and animal realism--Luis snacks on other forest creatures, and Pablo has a cynical view of their destination ("will it be a vast wealth of culture or a bottomless pit of despair?"). Gordon's jellybean-shaped figures, expressive linework, and soft colors amplify the cartoonish interactions and the bucolic setting in equal measure. It's a simply delightful, seamless blend of disparate parts that come together into an enchanting whole that will charm middle-graders with offbeat senses of humor.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Furry BFFs leave behind their idyllic forest habitat to experience the hustle and bustle of the city in this earnest graphic novel, a solo debut from Gordon (Finding François). Luis, a guitar-playing, song-singing brown bear, and Pablo, a grumpy, bespectacled mole, are best friends who share--to varying degrees of pleasure--a love for outdoor adventures both big and small. While life in the woods is pleasant, Luis often wonders: "What if there's something else out there? Beyond the trees" (like "other toothpaste flavors," Pablo adds). When Luis wins two tickets to attend a play in the Big City, the besties embark on a journey toward the sprawling metropolis. Though silly mishaps--like Luis eating all their rations in one bite--test the chums' friendship, they're always able to smooth out any conflict; some with a song, others with a moment of quiet contemplation. Loose line art and a warm, earth-toned color palette gives way to cool blue hues as the friends travel from their bucolic home into the busy city. Good-humored banter elevates an inviting and delightful jaunt featuring new experiences, social-emotional learning, and enduring friendship. Ages 8--12. (July)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A tentative venture into the Big City doesn't go at all well for two rustic cabin mates. A big furry sweetie for all his willingness to chow down on unwary birds and squirrels, Luis the bear is full of both tough philosophical questions ("If the early bird gets the worm, why do good things come to those who wait?") and affection for his acerbic mole roomie Pablo. "There's SO much that I don't know, Pablo." "I know." Yearning for a true cultural experience, the two make their way from the remote but comfy Bewilderness to the faraway "Big City," bantering all the way like animal versions of Laurel and Hardy. A rumor that zombie chickens prowl the mean streets doesn't dissuade them, nor does Luis' strange dream involving a gang of angry urban squirrels with big spoons. The bustling streets do prove free of chickens (at least the undead sort) and punk rodents, but the crowds and a string of mishaps are still stressful enough to drive the nervous Pablo into a meltdown that opens a rift between the two. But, demonstrating that even the tightest friendship can sometimes benefit from a timeout, the two ultimately end up closer than ever. Contrasting dispositions make Luis and Pablo an amusingly appealing pair in the neatly drawn panels, leading a winsome animal (and cryptid) cast. Urbane, goofy fun.(Graphic fiction. 10-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
