Cork & Fuzz: Merry Merry Holly Holly

PreS-Gr 1—In their first picture book, Cork and Fuzz (Viking, 2005), the muskrat and possum best friends of the eponymous beginning reader series, try to figure out why this day seems so special. Noisy birds (tweeters) and squirrels (squirtles) keep disturbing Cork's cogitation, not to mention the fact that Fuzz keeps singing a song with the inexplicable words "Merry, merry, holly, holly, ho-ho-ho" and jingling a gold bell that he finds. Kids will add up the clues to come up with one answer, but they will still find Cork's conclusion satisfying. As he and Fuzz lie under a front yard pine tree bedecked with snow and twinkling lights, Cork figures that being a friend in a beautiful place makes any day special. The simple story is enhanced by detailed illustrations depicting the two expressive pals cavorting against a snowy forest backdrop.