I Am a Capybara

A shaggy capybara narrates this meandering debut by Fabbri. “I’m a capybara, and I love living simply,” declares the anthropomorphic protagonist, whose hairy appearance is so doglike that an entire page illustrates the species’ differences. Alternating capybara facts with personal preferences, the rodent describes himself as a self-proclaimed poetry lover (despite an inability to read or write it) who loves the water (and can fall asleep floating) and enjoys eating broth. At last the unassuming narrator imparts a “secret” known by his species: “tough guys love cuddles and care sometimes.” White space abounds amid Fabbri’s spare, naturalistic illustrations, which almost solely feature her subject in various poses. But while the overall approach is one of whimsy, a hazy amalgam of fact and fancy, mixed with heavy-handed philosophizing, make for an unclear focus. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)