VIRGIL & OWEN STICK TOGETHER

Virgil and Owen, from their previous eponymous title, might be best friends, but Virgil still has some friendship lessons to learn.

Owen, the lumpy polar bear, likes to take his time. He walks to school slowly, practices writing his name very deliberately, and munches on his lunch with slow, measured bites. Penguin Virgil, however, rushes through life with the force of a tornado. Whenever Owen starts something, Virgil jumps in and finishes. Owen’s frustration slowly builds until he can’t take it anymore and lets out a loud, “RROOAARRR.” Virgil, who goes flying, has plenty of time to think about his actions while stuck up to his beak in snow. Ostensibly about Virgil slowing down to learn patience, Bogan’s story explores a common toddler impulse—interruption—with sensitivity and humor. Owen counts snowballs: “One… two… three…,” and Virgil jumps in to toss three more on the pile with a glib, “Four, five, SIX. Easy peasy, my friend.” It’s a great discussion starter on reading friends’ cues (Owen presents some very obvious looks of shock, dismay, and anger) and learning to control the temptation to jump in.

A welcome glimpse into child sensibilities.