HOW MESSY!

The Odd Couple for a new generation.

Dot and Duck have another quarrel to reconcile. Light-skinned Dot—wearing a red-hooded, yellow polka-dot romper—is frustrated with Duck. There’s toothpaste on the bathroom floor, Duck’s bed is a rumpled mess, and Dot can’t stand accidentally stepping on Duck’s scattered toys. The titular phrase is repeatedly muttered and shouted: “How messy!” Annoyed, Dot drags Duck to the beach. It’s much easier to be messy outdoors. Alas, their tendencies follow. Dot prefers everything to be precise while making sand castles (“Neat and tidy. Tidy and trim”), while Duck is, well, the opposite. Sand flies everywhere, and mounds of kelp are piled high. The two argue until Duck shows off sand art, made especially for Dot. Dot is cheered—until they accidentally slip and ruin the art. With wide, imploring eyes, the duo look directly to the audience and ask, “Now what do we do?” Luckily, a creative solution makes the most of both their talents. Pulsating with a visual energy, the art is peppered with splatters, splashes, and comedic pratfalls. Short, exclamatory phrases and expansive white space make this a fun choice for both young independent readers or a group read-aloud. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A neat and tidy look at how messy the art of compromise can be.