This ORQ. (he cave boy.) by David Elliott, illustrated by Lori Nichols

Both names of the creators sounded familiar, but I had to look in the back to realize that David Elliott did the poetry picture books (On the farm, In the sea) which I love to use in storytime and Lori Nichols did one of my favorite new books, Maple, and the sequel, Maple and Willow Together.

So, I had high hopes for this book and I was not disappointed. It is adorably fluffy and funny.

Orq loves his mammoth, Woma. Unfortunately, Orq's mother is not quite so enthusiastic. Orq tries to teach Woma tricks to endear him to his mother, but they all go disastrously wrong. Finally, Woma manages to do something heroic all on his own and is welcomed back into the cave....sort of. Elliott does a great job using "cave boy speak" to great humorous effect and kids will be laughing hysterically over this one.

I love Nichols' simple but effect artwork and this is no exception. Both Woma and Orq are adorably fuzzy, not to mention a bit scruffy as small children and mammoths tend to be. There are lots of hilarious little details, like Woma's growing size compared to their other friend, a prehistoric woodpecker as Woma first lifts her up to the nest and then, well, it's not Woma's fault he grew a lot bigger...

Verdict: This is going to be a hit in storytime and a new favorite for kids at my library, especially anyone whose parents have ever complained about their pet! Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9781620915219; Published 2014 by Boyds Mills Press; Review copy provided by the publisher for Cybils