FOOD FIGHT

Little friends strive to overcome the pointless animosity of their clans.

For reasons long forgotten, the Vegetables and the Fruits are bitterly at odds, slinging insults at and slyly sabotaging each other. Naturally, each group tries to end the new friendship between Grape and Mushroom. Appalled and unwilling to be separated, Mushroom and Grape decide to consult the (possibly mythical) Wise Old Cheese. Scaling the fridge shelves, the friends undertake a perilous journey to the Top Shelf, helping each other through the worst bits (and past some atrocious puns). The wedge of Cheese—aged, smelly, a bit moldy—promises to think over their problem but falls asleep, and the discouraged friends return to find their groups still embroiled in conflict. But then a “milky light” and “pungent pong” announce the manifestation of the Wise Old Cheese, who points to the two friends’ efforts as a model of cooperation, and, lo, the adversaries discover their similarities and decide to “give peace a chance.” The wordplay is entertaining, while the arduous expedition and the buddies’ bond are inspiring. The amusing illustrations of kitchen equipment and anthropomorphic produce provide bright colors and action (probably best for reading to a close-up audience). (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A tasty tale in which friendship conquers all.