“Hello, Gollie,” said Bink. “What should we do today?”
“Greetings, Bink,” said Gollie. “I long for speed.”
This is a review of an advance reader copy provided by the publisher, Candlewick Press.
How to describe Bink and Gollie? Well, it’s not a picture book, though it is illustrated – awesomely – by Tony Fucile (Let’s Do Nothing). Random House (who provides a description on their website) call this a beginner reader. Though it often repeats words, amusingly, as a beginner reader does… words like outrageous, baffled, tolerated, and spectacular push the limits. But it’s not a transitional reader. Much is packed into the short 92 pages, but the length is too short to be considered a transitional book.
Whatever it is, I adore it! These two girls – quirky, short, blond Bink and the slightly more mature, taller, brown-haired Gollie – are imaginative companions who live in their own deliciously amusing world, happily devoid of adult supervision. I wish this book, and those that follow, were adapted into a TV show… not a noisy, chatter-filled yawnfest, but a tersely worded WALL-E-like show with more exchanged in looks than in speech.
This book has an Elephant and Piggie feel. Not much happening in the background but no need for more. The two friends are distinctly different but they often cross over and display emotions or inclinations of their counterpart. Gollie is just as adventurous as Bink, for all her calm and grace.
A website is forthcoming.
Another review at: RichiesPicks and Fuse #8
This one sounds awesome. The vocabulary sounds steep to be called a beginning reader, but I do love a children’s book that isn’t afraid to pull out the big words. “Greetings” is actually my blanket salutation right now. Definitely adding this to the old “to read” list.