Woodpecker Wants a Waffle

PreS-Gr 2—Breen delivers a whimsical, alliterative story of animal high jinks. When Benny the woodpecker investigates a tummy-rumbling smell, he is led to a diner where his curiosity is piqued by a customer relishing a plate of freshly made waffles. Although Benny is desperate to taste the breakfast treat, he is thwarted time and again by an astute and ornery waitress. Neither camouflage nor comic disguises fool this waffle server, leaving Benny to brainstorm new ideas with his animal friends in the nearby woods. All of Benny's companions try to dissuade him, using clever alliterations ("Moose don't eat muffins," "Raccoons don't eat ravioli," etc.); however, Benny's outlandish plans do give way to a sly and satisfying ending. Excellent watercolor illustrations help depict this charming world, while the ratio of text to white space is ideal for emerging readers.