I AM A CAPYBARA

A capybara explains just who he is.

Not to be confused with a dog—or a mouse, a beaver, a bear, or a marmot—this self-proclaimed “tough guy” is a capybara, “the biggest rodent in the world.” Unlike dogs with their many breeds, “capybaras all look the same.” They are “excellent swimmers.” They “have a serious expression.” And they “love cuddles and care.” While this capybara goes on to describe himself collectively, there’s lots of individual personality on display. This capybara likes “observ[ing] things and their poetry,” wearing bow ties to the opera, playfully dressing up as a whale, and sipping a “well-made broth.” He speaks in a candid, conversational monologue, and separating capybara fact from fiction may be tricky for some readers. As further quirks and preferences unfold and anecdotes are shared, the question arises: Is this curious, contemplative nature a hallmark of all capybaras? Fabbri’s soft colored-pencil drawings punctuated with thin ink linework are textured but minimalist—with the white page as the background, the titular subject remains the focus.

A gentle, offbeat sketch.