Don’t Eat Eustace

K-Gr 2–What can you stitch together with a washed-up sail? A fashionable sweater, a dashing hat, a mended wing, or maybe—a new friend? Bear is quite settled in their ­solitary lighthouse life until one day, while fishing for dinner, they reel in a technicolor surprise: a checkerboard sail with a ­panicked fish named Eustace wrapped inside. As ­Eustace stalls Bear’s culinary plans, predator and prey are visited by other seaside passersby, and using the sail, Eustace inspires Bear to embrace hidden talents for sewing and helping others while ­discovering that they can become fast friends. Cho’s thoughtful text placement and hilarious dialogue have the makings of a new story-hour favorite. With their signature blend of colored pencil and paint, the delightful illustrations are not only seen from a distance, but can stand alone, allowing early readers to decode the story independently. A minor ­issue with ­sequencing appears near the story’s end, but it is easily forgiven in exchange for a heartfelt and humorous conclusion.