Pig and Pug

Pig and Pug should be instant friends—they are both cute, petite, and full of energy. But Pug insists on addressing Pig as “Pug” (actually, “a pudgy Pug”), and Pig doesn’t like it one bit. After some tussling, a lot of contradictory gainsaying (“ ‘Yes, you are,’ says Pug to Pig. ‘Am not!’ says Pig”), and some table-turning thanks to an encounter with a muddy hole (“Pug, the muddy Pig,” declares Pig, feeling quite clever), the two seem to be on the road to friendship, “at least for now.” Although Berry’s (What Floats in a Moat?) repartee may remind readers of the silly arguments they have had with siblings and friends, it’s not quite enough to hang a story on. Similarly, Correll’s (What I Wore Today) almost totemic characters, boldly outlined and set against white space or solid colors, start out full of promise, only to quickly reveal the limitations of their expressiveness. It’s closer to the beginning of a lifelong rivalry than a beautiful friendship. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. Illustrator’s agent: Sylvie Hamel, Anna Goodson Illustration Agency. (June)