What's Wrong? Nothing! Well, Maybe Something!

 Books can be "stand-alones", sequels, companion books, trilogies, or series. In this case let's just call these a "pair" of picture books that will have kids giggling and asking you to read them again and again. Created by the same pair, author Jory John with illustrations by Erin Kraan, these characters/settings are likely to find themselves in future woodland animal adventures, complete with appealing subtitles. 

Farrar, Strauss, Giroux  2021

First came SOMETHING'S WRONG! A Bear, A Hare, and Some Underwear. The premise in this case (and the next) is simple. A sweet but ordinary moment happens while the character is safely at home. This alone is somewhat laughable, but as the story unfolds a persistent state of denial becomes the source of humor. Those increasingly insistent situations are giggle-worthy for even the youngest through illustrations, but will be elevated by an effective adult reader of the text. (Use those character voices, Big People!) This bear, stars in both books, has a significantly recognizable capacity to rationalize, explain, divert attention, and otherwise avoid admitting the truth. 

Kids a bit older than toddlers will recognize the futility and fun in this string of verbal efforts, while recognizing themselves in similar situations.This first book launches with the unlikely but surprisingly sweet JEFF the bear reciting his morning routines, with the added note that he had tried on his grandma's recent gift. From the cover you'll guess that this was a pair of "tidy whities", which his sleepy-bear self forgot to remove. Despite the feeling that something is wrong, Jeff heads out. When friends note this and try, tactfully, to ask if anything is wrong that day, Jeff insists  that everything is fine. His hare friend, ANDERS, is honest enough to speak directly about this situation, then takes the lead to avoid JEFF being teased by the other wood critters. 

Farrar, Strauss, Giroux, 2023

It's no surprise when the next title features these two friends as stars of NOTHING'S WRONG! A Hare, A Bear, and Some Pie to Share. In this case, though, Anders begins at home, making a surprise apple pie for their picnic using Grandma's best recipe. When the perfect pie, cooling on the window sill, is ruined by a storm, Anders hates to admit the truth. He tries denial. Along the way, with a silly make-up mix of foods stuffed in a yarn basket, JEFF senses something is wrong with Anders, using his Bear-bounty of verbal attempts to make everything all right. 

Kids of any age, but especially in this early age  group, struggle with admitting mistakes, acknowledging confusion, or feeling embarrassed. These feelings can result in what adults readily label "lying", when in fact it is a developing mind in full-blown denial, creating a truth they cling to, avoiding those uncomfortable feelings. That denial, the longer it goes, becomes more and more entrenched. A good friend (or caregiver, teacher, parent, or sibling) may step in and provide a bridge to get past the pain of such misery. These two books are great examples of such kindnesses, and also open the door to discussions of the feelings themselves.

This newer title, too, has an eventual happy ending that involves the woodland population of critters as a large group of friends. And, of course, PIE. Nothing's sweeter than that. Except, perhaps, the illustrations. Kraan has produced a cast of characters with the comic qualities of exaggerated physical features, especially expressive eyes, with gentle-toned spreads featuring limited black line and accent colors to draw the eye to the emotional state of the players. The backgrounds and some other stretches of pattern incorporate what might be assumed to be digital stamps but were produced with linocut prints and woodcuts, assembled digitally. The soft-edges of those compiled scenes add to the effectiveness of occasional art-created text, with texturized and blur-softened art where font appears, and adding depth to such elements as fur and shadow.

The success of both talented creators is no surprise, and might limit the number of new titles for this pair of characters in new situations, but young readers will be rooting for Anders and Jeff and their crew to star together in future picture books. 

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