Agatha

Little Agatha is a product of a mixed marriage: her father is a bear, her mother is a pig, and she has “her mother’s ears and her father’s nose.” A birthday celebration suggests that both sides of the family dote on her; nonetheless, Agatha feels “she didn’t quite fit it,” an anxiety that kindergarten only exacerbates. But with the help of her teacher and classmates, Agatha realizes that her individuality is an asset. Australian author-illustrator Pignataro maintains a caring but restrained narrative voice, and while Agatha’s face can sometimes seem oddly masklike, the charcoal-toned illustrations, punctuated with soft color washes, exude a sweetness and poignancy that never turns sentimental. The story’s emotional through-line slackens as Pignataro tries to take Agatha from being someone who feels like an outsider to someone who fears she isn’t special enough (“She was good at singing, but May was better). But while this confused psychology momentarily sidetracks the story, the resolution is authentic and funny, delivering a solid message of reassurance to acutely sensitive children of every species. Ages 4–8. (Nov.)