The society of distinguished lemmings by Julie Colombet

The Society of Distinguished Lemmings, a collection of fluffy, striped critters with heavy-lidded eyes rimmed in black, live underground. In their elaborate burrows, they follow the Society’s rules to the T, performing many distinguished acts. But one lemming, Bertie, has had a bit much. He goes outside the burrow for a break and meets… a bear.

Neither one has heard good things of the other. Aren’t bears rather… dim? And aren’t lemmings terrible show-offs? But the bear is willing to be friends and Bertie tries to show him his favorite things, like painting masterpieces. The bear doesn’t care for those pastimes and suggests climbing in trees and jumping in puddles and Bertie… likes it?

Just when they are enjoying a nap, all the rest of the lemmings show up and immediately insist on trying to make the bear more distinguished, so he can be a lemming. The bear tries his best, but… he’s not a lemming. Left alone again, Bertie comforts the bear and when the rest of the lemmings go on a trip, it’s up to Bertie and the bear to save the day! In the end, the lemmings agree with Bertie that the bear is indeed distinguished and everyone can be distinguished - “in any way they choose.”

What sets this apart from the many other “be who you are” picture books, is the hilarious chatter of the shaggy little lemmings, including the hapless Nigel, and their dedication to their artistic and “distinguished” pursuits, which the reader will quickly realize are anything but! The small text - the font of the general text is small as well and often laid over darker backgrounds - and many details make this less than ideal for storytimes, but it would be a hilarious one-on-one read or for children to pore over on their own.

Verdict: Purchase if you have many independent readers who like funny picture books, or small group read-alouds.
ISBN: 9781682631560; Published March 2020 by Peachtree; F&G provided by publisher; Purchased for the library