I am a great friend! by Lauren Stohler

 I picked this off a review list because it looked funny and it did not disappoint!

A grinning capybara lifts their goggles to wink at the reader over a rock on the title page, eyed by some very nervous-looking birds. Turn the page and see a peaceful scene of content capybaras, sleeping, drinking, eating, and leisurely swimming through the pond. Each capybara has a small flock of colorful birds on its back. And then, with an explosion of dust, ricocheting off rocks, Baby Capybara arrives. He's upset because he doesn't have any birds, but, as his mama points out, bird friends may not like the same things he does. Baby Capybara makes an effort to be more like the other capybaras and temporarily acquires a small flock, but it doesn't last long. Fortunately, there just might be someone who appreciates what a great friend Baby Capybara is, someone who loves to splash, zoom, and make loud noises!

Stohler's illustrations are adorable, showing the zip-zoom wild child of Baby Capybara and his slightly horrified but mostly resigned herd, along with their peaceful mini-flocks of colorful birds. Blues, greens, and yellows flow across the page with a wide variety of goofy expressions from the birds and, occasionally, the capybaras. There's no judgment for anyone, either Baby Capybara's enjoyment of noise and mess or the birds' preference for peace and quiet. When he finally finds a friend who enjoys the same kind of things he does, his mother peaceably waves goodbye as they go off together for some raucous fun.

Verdict: Stohler has written two previous picture books and has an absolutely adorable and delightful beginning chapter graphic novel coming out in June of 2023, Gnome and Rat and with this funny and sweet story she is definitely an author to watch. Recommended. 

ISBN: 9781665918336; Published April 2023 by Atheneum; Review copy provided by publisher