Kalinka is a showy little bird with an eye for neatness, but her grumpy and messy monster neighbor Grakkle doesn’t care one bit about cleaning. Will an unfortunate turn of events bring a restless but well-intentioned troublemaker and a grouchy furball into the most unlikely of friends? With popular author and illustrator Julie Paschkis's brightly colored illustrations and signature folk art-inspired patterns scattered throughout, this whimsical and humorous tale will catch the eyes and warm the hearts of children and adults alike.
We all have a little bit of Kalinka or Grakkle in us from time to time, and it’s important to know we’ll have a friend who will love us for who we are, even when we make a big mess! Featuring themes of friendship and compromise, Kalinka and Grakkle shows readers that even the most paradoxical of pairs can overcome their problems and still be friends.
“The momentarily dire consequences and subsequent détente are familiar, but Paschkis’s innate effervescence more than compensates. She fills the oversize pages with curly ink lines and folk art motifs and colors; it’s cozy and cheery, yet it still delivers on the big dramatic moment. While the narration tends toward the see-and-say, Paschkis writes with concision and an ear for words that make for great readalouds” —Publishers Weekly
“Kalinka’s blithe cluelessness and Grakkle’s grunting ire should tickle young listeners. Paschkis’ colorful and quirky illustrations, rendered in ink and gouache, heighten the supreme silliness of her tale…. Another cute odd-friendship story.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Humorous monster details will pull in readers for this lighthearted tale of an unusual friendship.”
—Booklist
“[A] fictitious tale that reads more like a modern-day fable….an important lesson about the value of self-control… A strong emphasis on friendship provides a solid theme for this book.”
—School Library Journal
Learn more about the creation of
Kalinka and Grakkle from the author-illustrator herself, and check out Julie Paschkis's
blog post.
Don't miss the 4-stop blog tour for Kalinka and Grakkle April 2-6!
Get your copy of Kalinka and Grakkle at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble April 1!
Labels: New Book Wednesday, Picture books
