What Do You Want, Little Friend?

Written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc

Princeton Architectural Press

978-1-61689-944-8

24 pp.

Ages 0-4

October 2020

At its simplest, What Do You Want, Little Friend? is a story about a kitten trying to help a fly and listening to what the fly needs. In twelve short lines of text, a relationship is formed and compassion extended. Ah, if all interactions were this positive.

From What Do You Want, Little Friend? by Marianne Dubuc

While flying a kite, a little kitten steps on a fly that is on the ground. Desperate to make things okay, the kitten encourages the fly to walk like the ants or to fly like the birds but there is no response from the fly. Each time, the kitten comes back to ask the fly, "Don't you want to?" to check with the fly as to its needs.

From What Do You Want, Little Friend? by Marianne Dubuc

It's only when the kitten stops to listen, that things are made right for the fly and thus for the kitten as well. By speaking up, the fly gets what it needs, and by listening, the kitten gets to help.

From What Do You Want, Little Friend? by Marianne Dubuc

Although Marianne Dubuc's premise may be a simple one of showing caring for others, What Do You Want, Little Friend? reminds us that sometimes the best way to help others is to listen. Not to decide what is best for them. Not to always offer suggestions as to what they would do. Not even to advise them as to the most logical action to take. It's just to listen. Whether an injured fly, a weeping child or a depressed person, sometimes just offering support by listening will make things better. As the little kitten realizes soon enough, a solution is at hand if they only listen and hear. (Of course, it is also incumbent upon the fly to ask.)

Like many of Marianne Dubuc's picture books (see Little Cheetah's Shadow, The Fish and the Cat, and The Lion and the Bird), What Do You Want, Little Friend? is about the interaction of two unlikely allies. The story that results from their meeting is the stuff of legends. It's simple but powerful, all the more so because of Marianne Dubuc's uncluttered illustrations. There is a lightness in the austerity of her shapes and colours which brings focus to the text and the kitten's expressions. (We never see the fly's visage.)

The messages are clear in What Do You Want, Little Friend? First, if you do harm, make it right. Secondly, ask and listen to those who might need help. These mighty messages may be aimed at our youngest children because of the delicate board book in which they are found but they are messages which we should all heed.

Dojo Daytrip

by Chris Tougas

Owlkids Books

978-1-77147-142-8

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

September 2015

They may be ninjas but they are still children:  boisterous, inquisitive, energetic and rowdy.  And a field trip with Master to a farm doesn't do anything but fuel their fires!  Remember Chris Tougas' six little ninjas from Dojo Daycare (Owlkids Books, 2014)?  Well, they're back and as effervescent as a newly opened pop bottle.

And Master must feel the same way as the six ninjas–never named but each unique and recognizable by hair or lack thereof–explode off the bus and begin to explore and cause ninja mayhem! But, it's Master who continues to find himself in buckets of awkwardness: falling in the pigs' trough, or running from a bull, or spooking a horse.  The little ninjas have just not been paying attention, distracted by the chicks, or other farmyard entities, and

It's a big barnyard disaster!
No one's there to save the Master.
The ninjas all forgot their creed:
Always help someone in need.

But after a few "Yikes!" and "Yee-ow!" moments, the ninjas realize the Master needs help and they jump in to make things right.  It's a full day of activities and activity and rhyming and word play, and it's not surprising that the little ones seem tired on the road home, though a taurine stowaway suggests more mayhem is in their future.

Dojo Daytrip is a fun romp at the farm with Chris Tougas' agile ninjas and their adult wrangler, reminiscent of many school field trips with their "if something can do wrong, it will" moments.  But Chris Tougas twists that story line by having the Master at the heart of the craziness and allowing the little ninjas to solve the problems and go beyond the call of duty.  The Master may be harping on the little ones forgetting their creed but they're just too busy having fun.  Chris Tougas' words are light and rhythmic and work so well with his bold characters and sparse settings.  It's a fast read, perfect for a read-aloud before a school trip, but take the time to notice all the details like the red scarf that riles the bull, or the one farting ninja, or the little chicks that wave good-bye, or the ninja teddy-bear.  There's a richness of details and facial expressions and such that add so much to the simple story of helping out those in need that Dojo Daytrip will be a fun keeper to use in the classroom for field trip prep, for rhyming exemplars and for a pastural past-time without getting on a bus.

Dojo Daycare

by Chris Tougas

Owlkids

978-1-77147-057-5

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

For release September 15, 2014

In fun rhyming verse, author and illustrator Chris Tougas, takes the high spirits of ninja boys and girls and releases them in their new dojo daycare where Master attempts to harness their energy into reflecting on honor, kindness and respect. But the dojo is more playground than learning venue and the little ninjas, bare-footed and dressed in their black suits, tend to end up in a series of Kaboom! Kapow! riots, frustrating the Master throughout the day.

I wish I could reproduce Chris Tougas' endearing little ninjas here, but I can't possibly

demonstrate how the little ones seemingly pop off the page with every kick and pounce.  His illustrations, and explosive exclamations by the ninjas and their master, are bold and colourful, and digitally enhanced for the full power of a ninja kick.  This power is visually supported with the illustrator's choice of white as background, with only occasional shadows or swirls to create greater depth.

Pick out the endearing touches with your children, like the ninja mask on the goldfish, the ninja belting out "Hi-ya!" at the beginning and "Bye-ya!" at the end, or the sushi, noodles and chopsticks at lunch.  Dojo Daycare has the playfulness of any children's program in which young boys and girls, whether your's or ninjas', have fun and learn, although sometimes with more colourful spunk than expected.