Armadillo and Hare by Jeremy Strong, illustrated by Rebecca Bagley

This is a classic odd-couple chapter book, a theme made popular by Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad, and now the established storyline for many easy readers and early chapters.

Each chapter presents a different vignette in the life of friends and roommates Armadillo and Hare. In the first, Armadillo wakes up to the unwelcome news that there is no cheese! Hare is not very helpful - he suggests that Armadillo is too fat and should exercise. But Armadillo has a better idea... In the following chapters the forest animals have a birthday party for nobody, Armadillo saves Hare from Jaguar, Hare plays his tuba (which blasts out all manner of strange things - fortunately they disappear) and there is a party, at which Hare firmly keeps Armadillo from dancing because in their previous practice he demonstrated that he definitely could not dance. They have philosophical discussions about themselves and eat lots of cheese sandwiches (at least, Armadillo does).

Black and white sketches show the shabby Armadillo, with his worn cardigan and shuffling walk, sprightly Hare, complete with dapper scarf, pants, vest, and tuba, and a variety of woodland creatures (and cheese sandwiches). This chapter book is about Magic Tree House level, with some more complex vocabulary and discussions. There is a tongue-in-cheek "recipe" for making cheese sandwiches at the back.

Verdict: While there are some kids who like these kinds of meandering, philosophical stories, they are definitely the minority. Added to that the opening with Hare telling Armadillo he's too fat and should diet and near the end where he won't let him dance because he's not good at it (at least not where there's anybody else around) and this is one I'd skip.

ISBN: 9781338540598; Published February 2020 by David Fickling Books; Borrowed from another library in my consortium