Chuck and Woodchuck

A woodchuck at school for show-and-tell brings together a shy first grader named Chuck and his classmate Caroline. Caroline describes the ways Woodchuck goes out of his way to get her attention on Chuck's behalf. Chuck eventually finds his voice, in a sweet and satisfying way, and a three-way friendship is formed. Clear, unfussy ink and digital pictures illustrate the humorously fantastical story.

New friendships can be forged in many ways; in this case it's a woodchuck at school for show-and-tell bringing together a shy first-grader named Chuck and his classmate Caroline (both human). Caroline, the narrator, describes the ways that Woodchuck goes out of his way to get her attention on Chuck's behalf. During recess Woodchuck delivers Chuck's hat to warm her chilly ears; Woodchuck brings over a new cupcake (Chuck's) when hers falls on the floor; he shares Chuck's picture when Caroline spills paint on hers. It's all very nice and Cyrano-like, but will Chuck ever find his voice? He does, in a sweet and satisfying way, and a three-way friendship is formed. It's an odd little story, engagingly illustrated with clear, unfussy ink and digital pictures in a cheerful school setting that make the action easy to follow. Bell's conversational text, too, does its part by keeping readers grounded within a humorously fantastical storyline (it's not like Woodchuck is imaginary; the other kids at school can see him). This is probably the first woodchuck matchmaker in a picture book, and he's a feisty and endearing one -- with good instincts, too; Chuck and Caroline seem made for each other. elissa gershowitz