Kalinka and Grakkle

Julie Paschkis illustrated this in a colorful, simple, and almost color outside of the lines sort of style that was fun yet not complicated. I enjoyed it. Kalinka (a bird) is basically too helpful and Grakkle (a bear-like animal) is messy and only speaks in various versions of his name. Kalinka trie......more

Questions answered by my 4 year old Do you like this book? Yeah I like the silly bird and when Grakkle says graaaaaakk! What's your favorite part of the book? I liked the pickle juice with his stinky feet! And the bird fell in. Ewwww. And it made me feel so silly when they were snoring going graaaaaak! W......more

Though the tale ultimately has a sweet ending, this book is quite odd and may struggle to find its audience. The colorful ink-and-gouache illustrations are inspired by folk art, and the story itself seems as though it may be rooted in some specific culture, although no author’s note or explanation i......more

Grakk! Like Kalinka, this story ingratiates itself on the reader with its incessant cheerfulness, positive message about friendship, and colorfully idiosyncratic illustrations. The purpose of the pail of pickle juice is likely to appeal to many young readers, as are the personal grooming and houseke......more

E-ARC provided by Edelweiss.plus......more