Hey, Presto!

PreS-Gr 1–Presto and Monty live in an alleyway surrounded by garbage and rats, but this cat and dog are happy because they have each other. Monty entertains Presto with his singing and funny faces; Presto amazes Monty with his magic. When they join a carnival, though, fame gets in the way of their friendship. Monty won’t let Presto be on stage because he wants the spotlight all to himself. On the day he performs solo at a sold-out show, he discovers just how important Monty is to their act. After apologies are exchanged, the friends perform a new show that showcases both of their talents. Shireen’s illustrations are a combination of pencil, ink, collage, and digital rendering. Although the animals at the carnival don’t speak, word balloons let readers know how Monty is feeling when he’s on the stage. The humor is subtle, but the message about the importance of friendship is strong.–Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada