"But what Emily Jenkins and Chris Appelhans’ lyrical collaboration is really about is the intoxicating thrill of friendship, and boundless joy of play..." –The New York Times
A “merry read-aloud.” –The Wall Street Journal
Winner of the 2018 Zena Sutherland Award for Best Text
From a heavyweight author and illustrator duo comes a delicious tongue twister of a picture book that features a little round greyhound and a little round groundhog.
With very spare, incredibly lively language, this is an entertaining read-aloud, with two amazing—and oh-so-adorable—characters at its heart.
When a greyhound meets a groundhog, wordplay and crazy antics ensue. The two animals, much like kids, work themselves into a frenzy as they whirl around and around one another. (Around, round hound. Around, groundhog!) The pace picks up (Around and around and astound and astound!), until they ultimately wear themselves out.
“Jenkins’s masterful text is deceptively simple.” —NPRon Toys Meet Snow by Emily Jenkins
“Appelhans, whose career up to now has been in animated films such as Coraline, is a revelation.” —Booklist, Starred, on Sparky!, illustrated by Chris Appelhans
“Appelhans makes an auspicious picture book debut with strikingly beautiful watercolor and pencil illustrations. His style, reminiscent of Jon Klassen’s, incorporates a muted color palette, but with a slightly softer, rounder quality, while also weaving in visual deadpan humor.” —The Horn Book
NOMINEE
| 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award
SELECTION
| 2018 ALA Notable Children's Book
SELECTION
| 2018 Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
AWARD
| 2018 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
"But what Emily Jenkins and Chris Appelhans’ lyrical collaboration is really about is the intoxicating thrill of friendship, and boundless joy of play..." –The New York Times
A “merry read-aloud.” –The Wall Street Journal
"This delightful story is a feast for the eyes and ears, and it will hold up well to repeated demands from eager young listeners."— Kirkus, starred review
"Dedicated to picture book icon Ruth Krauss, this elegant pas de deux between two unlikely creatures recalls the sense of uninhibited play that Krauss brought to her own work." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A lovely, lyrical paean to the natural order, with an element of wonder and grace. Perfect for one-on-one and group sharing." — School Library Journal, starred review
"Appelhans's watercolor illustrations are both adorable and artful, and the fluid style beautifully complements Jenkins's story of unlikely friendship, joyful rambunctiousness and wordplay." — Shelf Awareness, starred review
"This unusual duo will make a heartwarming addition to any read-aloud collection." — Booklist, starred review
"But what Emily Jenkins and Chris Appelhans’ lyrical collaboration is really about is the intoxicating thrill of friendship, and boundless joy of play..." –The New York Times
A “merry read-aloud.” –The Wall Street Journal
Winner of the 2018 Zena Sutherland Award for Best Text
From a heavyweight author and illustrator duo comes a delicious tongue twister of a picture book that features a little round greyhound and a little round groundhog.
With very spare, incredibly lively language, this is an entertaining read-aloud, with two amazing—and oh-so-adorable—characters at its heart.
When a greyhound meets a groundhog, wordplay and crazy antics ensue. The two animals, much like kids, work themselves into a frenzy as they whirl around and around one another. (Around, round hound. Around, groundhog!) The pace picks up (Around and around and astound and astound!), until they ultimately wear themselves out.
“Jenkins’s masterful text is deceptively simple.” —NPRon Toys Meet Snow by Emily Jenkins
“Appelhans, whose career up to now has been in animated films such as Coraline, is a revelation.” —Booklist, Starred, on Sparky!, illustrated by Chris Appelhans
“Appelhans makes an auspicious picture book debut with strikingly beautiful watercolor and pencil illustrations. His style, reminiscent of Jon Klassen’s, incorporates a muted color palette, but with a slightly softer, rounder quality, while also weaving in visual deadpan humor.” —The Horn Book
Awards
NOMINEE
| 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award
SELECTION
| 2018 ALA Notable Children's Book
SELECTION
| 2018 Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
AWARD
| 2018 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
Praise
"But what Emily Jenkins and Chris Appelhans’ lyrical collaboration is really about is the intoxicating thrill of friendship, and boundless joy of play..." –The New York Times
A “merry read-aloud.” –The Wall Street Journal
"This delightful story is a feast for the eyes and ears, and it will hold up well to repeated demands from eager young listeners."— Kirkus, starred review
"Dedicated to picture book icon Ruth Krauss, this elegant pas de deux between two unlikely creatures recalls the sense of uninhibited play that Krauss brought to her own work." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A lovely, lyrical paean to the natural order, with an element of wonder and grace. Perfect for one-on-one and group sharing." — School Library Journal, starred review
"Appelhans's watercolor illustrations are both adorable and artful, and the fluid style beautifully complements Jenkins's story of unlikely friendship, joyful rambunctiousness and wordplay." — Shelf Awareness, starred review
"This unusual duo will make a heartwarming addition to any read-aloud collection." — Booklist, starred review
