HORNBEAM GETS IT DONE

Hornbeam the moose is back with Eureka the gander, Cuddy the bull, and Adorabelle the skunk.

Broken into three brief stories, this latest installment invites new readers to enjoy the day-to-day activities of a close-knit friend group. While the anthropomorphic animals are decidedly adult in their characterization, with nary a parental figure or plotline tilting them toward childhood, Howard’s playful illustrations ramp up the appeal for children. In the first story, Hornbeam worries that a blueberry bush won’t withstand the gusty March winds, but Eureka helps him protect the vulnerable bush, along with other things in his yard. The second tale finds Hornbeam and Cuddy humorously struggling to resist a cupcake display while grocery shopping; giving in to temptation leaves them too lazy and full of food to complete their chore. The final story brings all the friends together for an evening of board games, including their favorite, Dream Trip, in which everyone gets to “travel to an unusual place on the game board.” (Some may find unusual a potentially othering word to describe locales such as Africa, Madagascar, Hawaii, and Egypt, though it’s a small point.) Overall, the warm, jovial atmosphere comes through, thanks in large part to Howard’s attention to clever details in both characterization and setting.

Good early reader fodder to get it done.