Dandy by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Charles Santoso

For all those who love dandelions and wild areas, who abhor the constant, destructive mowing of suburban life, and the sterile lifelessness of lawns... and for everyone who wants a funny story, here it is.

The endpages and title page show a carefully tended suburban neighborhood, not a leaf or tree out of place. The story opens with Daddy lion, looking happily through his window... until he sees "something scary." But when he arrives with the clippers at the terrible dandelion, Sweetie, his little girl, has gotten there first and is watering her flower. Named Charlotte. Her new best friend. The game's afoot and Daddy, urged on by neighbors peering over the hedge, tries everything he can to destroy the hated "weed" but every time Sweetie innocently stymies him. He "gets serious" with disguises, from ninja to pirate, but nothing works. Until Sweetie goes off to swim practice. Then there's no one to stop him from destroying that weed, complete in lawn-grinding lawnmower with spikes and flames! Or is there? Peace is finally declared, and the lawn war ends. For now...

Verdict: This is hilarious and also might give just a few hints to those a little too obsessed with their lawns!

ISBN: 9780316362955; Published April 2019 by Little Brown; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Purchased for the library