Axolotl and Axolittle

K-Gr 2–As far as creatures go, they don’t get much cuter than the axolotl. The older sister, Axolotl, is outgoing and energetic—she “lives life to the max-a-lotl.” Younger brother, Axolittle, is more reserved and “loves to just relax a little.” One day Axolotl’s exuberance ruins Axolittle’s artwork, and Axolotl shouts while Axolittle pouts. The father is called to help the two siblings work through their feelings, and the “axo-skiffle-scuffle” is successfully resolved. They end the story cuddling “to the max-a-lotl.” The comedic digital illustrations, featuring a vivid yellow and a fuchsia color inspired by Mexican pink (honoring the habitat of the endangered axolotl), are effective at capturing the energy and emotions of the text. Unfortunately, the repetitive endings “-otl” and “-ittle” as well as their variations wear thin by the story’s conclusion.