{"id":4359417735,"title":"What's Up, Chuck?","handle":"whats-up-chuck","description":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten \u0026amp; Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/leo-landry\" title=\"Leo Landry bio\"\u003eLeo Landry\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMastering the art of friend-making\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA hilarious follow-up to \u003cem\u003eGrin and Bear It\u003c\/em\u003e, this early reader offers lessons on jealousy, self-confidence and the art of making new friends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChuck Wood has won the Best of the Forest art contest three years running with his graceful wooden sculptures. But this year, newcomer Scooter Possum provides stiff competition with his abstract paintings, causing Chuck to erupt with jealousy and insecurity. With the help of his friends, he rediscovers his love of making art and learns the merits of coming in second place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/grin-and-bear-it\" title=\"Grin and Bear It\"\u003eGrin and Bear It\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/aggie-and-ben\" title=\"Aggie and Ben\"\u003eAggie and Ben\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/poppys-best-paper\" title=\"Poppy's Best Paper\"\u003ePoppy's Best Paper\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/whats-up-chuck-spread.jpg?4352058981267041829\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeo Landry, author \u0026amp; illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeo Landry is the author\/illustrator of several books for children, including \u003cem\u003eEat Your Peas, Ivy Louise!\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eSpace Boy\u003c\/em\u003e. Leo is also the illustrator of \u003cem\u003eFriends and Pals\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBrother, Too\u003c\/em\u003e. He lives in North Easton, Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/leo-landry\" title=\"Leo Landry bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Leo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the title, readers might expect a book of gross humor. Instead they'll find a sweet story of friendship and competition in which everyone can be \"best of the forest.\" Woodchuck Chuck is an artist working in wood and the winner of the Best of the Forest art contest three years running. Then Scooter the possum shows up. When his painting Splatter Matters wins first prize, Chuck is angry and jealous, and he begins to doubt his own abilities. Each of the eight short chapters begins with a full-page illustration that, with the chapter heading, hints at what is to come. Pictures throughout break up the text so new readers will not be intimidated. Chuck's friends provide kid-level comic relief with knock-knock jokes. (Though adults may chuckle at Scooter's similarities to Jackson Pollack and the allusion to current grass-roots movements, these references will mean nothing to beginning readers.) With wisdom beyond their years, Chuck's forest friends counsel him to gracefully accept his second-place recognition, and he rather quickly realizes that \"awards are just whipped cream on a sweet-potato pie.\" The final chapter, \"Lesson Learned,\" guarantees that no kid can miss the message. It's a kindhearted beginning chapter book, but second-graders may wish it had some vomit jokes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChuck Wood is an extraordinarily talented woodchuck. His detailed wood carvings have won the Best in the Forest art competition for three years running. Then Scooter Possum, a gifted abstract painter, arrives in Woodland Forest. At first, Chuck is happy to have a new friend and artistic companion, but his confidence is shaken when praise is heaped upon Scooter and his art. Ultimately, Chuck realizes that friendship and the artistic process are more important than any first prize trophy. Engaging from the get-go, Chuck and Scooter are a duo in the tradition of best friends Frog and Toad. Readers will relate to the overwhelming jealousy, anger, and self-doubt Chuck feels when Scooter is awarded first place in the art competition, as well as his great relief after making amends. The text, printed in an easy-to-read black font against white and pale backgrounds, features wonderful word repetition and witty wordplay, including several knock-knock jokes. Chapter headings cleverly foreshadow forthcoming action, providing a helpful framework for emerging readers. The uncluttered pencil and watercolor illustrations focus on interactions between the Woodland Forest characters; the facial expressions convey emotions and relationships clearly and humorously. Using distinct black lines and soft, cheerful colors, the cartoonish illustrations break up the text into approachable sections within the eight very short chapters. A delightful story for those transitioning from beginning readers to chapter books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Horn Book Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWoodchuck Chuck creates stunning \u003ci\u003eobjets d'art\u003c\/i\u003e out of wood, sculptures he proudly enters every year in the Best of the Forest art contest. When Scooter Possum, a painter, arrives in Woodland Forest, the gregarious Chuck invites him to stay in his burrow. The two happily work on their own projects in preparation for the contest, but green-eyed jealousy and self-doubt creep in when, first, Scooter makes a better dessert than Chuck (snickerdoodles) and then nabs the top prize in the art contest. Unhappy with coming in second, Chuck runs home and angrily smashes one of his sculptures. It takes his friend Fawn to remind Chuck of what matters: the joy he takes in making art. Eight short episodic chapters, each creating a separate, but connected, scene, help newly independent readers with stopping and starting points in the text. Numerous earth-toned watercolor and pencil illustrations preview each chapter; mirror important points in the action; and accentuate the characters' emotions through subtle changes in facial expressions. Besides offering a gentle examination of intrinsic versus extrinsic rewards, Landry uses natural language and includes a couple of those perennial knee-slappers: knock-knock jokes. This beginning reader is, without a doubt, as appealing as Scooter's snickerdoodles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/whats-up-chuck-cvr.jpg?17055295781060588997\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/whats-up-chuck-hires.zip?17055295781060588997\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-698-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-914-3 EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-915-0 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 5-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 48\u003cbr\u003e6 x 8 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e4\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2016-03-22T12:05:00-04:00","created_at":"2016-02-08T19:10:31-05:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Early Reader","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Concept Books","Browse by Subject_Early Childhood","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills"],"price":1295,"price_min":1295,"price_max":1295,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":14834413383,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"96986","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"What's Up, Chuck? - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1295,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781580896986","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/whats-up-chuck-cover.jpg?v=1586807181"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/whats-up-chuck-cover.jpg?v=1586807181","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"What's Up, Chuck? book cover","id":5805014777935,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.704,"height":852,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/whats-up-chuck-cover.jpg?v=1586807181"},"aspect_ratio":0.704,"height":852,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/whats-up-chuck-cover.jpg?v=1586807181","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten \u0026amp; Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/leo-landry\" title=\"Leo Landry bio\"\u003eLeo Landry\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMastering the art of friend-making\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA hilarious follow-up to \u003cem\u003eGrin and Bear It\u003c\/em\u003e, this early reader offers lessons on jealousy, self-confidence and the art of making new friends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChuck Wood has won the Best of the Forest art contest three years running with his graceful wooden sculptures. But this year, newcomer Scooter Possum provides stiff competition with his abstract paintings, causing Chuck to erupt with jealousy and insecurity. With the help of his friends, he rediscovers his love of making art and learns the merits of coming in second place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/grin-and-bear-it\" title=\"Grin and Bear It\"\u003eGrin and Bear It\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/aggie-and-ben\" title=\"Aggie and Ben\"\u003eAggie and Ben\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/poppys-best-paper\" title=\"Poppy's Best Paper\"\u003ePoppy's Best Paper\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/whats-up-chuck-spread.jpg?4352058981267041829\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeo Landry, author \u0026amp; illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeo Landry is the author\/illustrator of several books for children, including \u003cem\u003eEat Your Peas, Ivy Louise!\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eSpace Boy\u003c\/em\u003e. Leo is also the illustrator of \u003cem\u003eFriends and Pals\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBrother, Too\u003c\/em\u003e. He lives in North Easton, Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/leo-landry\" title=\"Leo Landry bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Leo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the title, readers might expect a book of gross humor. Instead they'll find a sweet story of friendship and competition in which everyone can be \"best of the forest.\" Woodchuck Chuck is an artist working in wood and the winner of the Best of the Forest art contest three years running. Then Scooter the possum shows up. When his painting Splatter Matters wins first prize, Chuck is angry and jealous, and he begins to doubt his own abilities. Each of the eight short chapters begins with a full-page illustration that, with the chapter heading, hints at what is to come. Pictures throughout break up the text so new readers will not be intimidated. Chuck's friends provide kid-level comic relief with knock-knock jokes. (Though adults may chuckle at Scooter's similarities to Jackson Pollack and the allusion to current grass-roots movements, these references will mean nothing to beginning readers.) With wisdom beyond their years, Chuck's forest friends counsel him to gracefully accept his second-place recognition, and he rather quickly realizes that \"awards are just whipped cream on a sweet-potato pie.\" The final chapter, \"Lesson Learned,\" guarantees that no kid can miss the message. It's a kindhearted beginning chapter book, but second-graders may wish it had some vomit jokes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChuck Wood is an extraordinarily talented woodchuck. His detailed wood carvings have won the Best in the Forest art competition for three years running. Then Scooter Possum, a gifted abstract painter, arrives in Woodland Forest. At first, Chuck is happy to have a new friend and artistic companion, but his confidence is shaken when praise is heaped upon Scooter and his art. Ultimately, Chuck realizes that friendship and the artistic process are more important than any first prize trophy. Engaging from the get-go, Chuck and Scooter are a duo in the tradition of best friends Frog and Toad. Readers will relate to the overwhelming jealousy, anger, and self-doubt Chuck feels when Scooter is awarded first place in the art competition, as well as his great relief after making amends. The text, printed in an easy-to-read black font against white and pale backgrounds, features wonderful word repetition and witty wordplay, including several knock-knock jokes. Chapter headings cleverly foreshadow forthcoming action, providing a helpful framework for emerging readers. The uncluttered pencil and watercolor illustrations focus on interactions between the Woodland Forest characters; the facial expressions convey emotions and relationships clearly and humorously. Using distinct black lines and soft, cheerful colors, the cartoonish illustrations break up the text into approachable sections within the eight very short chapters. A delightful story for those transitioning from beginning readers to chapter books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Horn Book Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWoodchuck Chuck creates stunning \u003ci\u003eobjets d'art\u003c\/i\u003e out of wood, sculptures he proudly enters every year in the Best of the Forest art contest. When Scooter Possum, a painter, arrives in Woodland Forest, the gregarious Chuck invites him to stay in his burrow. The two happily work on their own projects in preparation for the contest, but green-eyed jealousy and self-doubt creep in when, first, Scooter makes a better dessert than Chuck (snickerdoodles) and then nabs the top prize in the art contest. Unhappy with coming in second, Chuck runs home and angrily smashes one of his sculptures. It takes his friend Fawn to remind Chuck of what matters: the joy he takes in making art. Eight short episodic chapters, each creating a separate, but connected, scene, help newly independent readers with stopping and starting points in the text. Numerous earth-toned watercolor and pencil illustrations preview each chapter; mirror important points in the action; and accentuate the characters' emotions through subtle changes in facial expressions. Besides offering a gentle examination of intrinsic versus extrinsic rewards, Landry uses natural language and includes a couple of those perennial knee-slappers: knock-knock jokes. This beginning reader is, without a doubt, as appealing as Scooter's snickerdoodles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/whats-up-chuck-cvr.jpg?17055295781060588997\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/whats-up-chuck-hires.zip?17055295781060588997\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-698-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-914-3 EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-915-0 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 5-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 48\u003cbr\u003e6 x 8 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e4\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

What's Up, Chuck?

Written & Illustrated by: Leo Landry

Mastering the art of friend-making

A hilarious follow-up to Grin and Bear It, this early reader offers lessons on jealousy, self-confidence and the art of making new friends.

Chuck Wood has won the Best of the Forest art contest three years running with his graceful wooden sculptures. But this year, newcomer Scooter Possum provides stiff competition with his abstract paintings, causing Chuck to erupt with jealousy and insecurity. With the help of his friends, he rediscovers his love of making art and learns the merits of coming in second place.

Maximum quantity available reached.

Leo Landry, author & illustrator

Leo Landry is the author/illustrator of several books for children, including Eat Your Peas, Ivy Louise!, and Space Boy. Leo is also the illustrator of Friends and Pals and Brother, Too. He lives in North Easton, Massachusetts.

Read more about Leo.

  • Coming soon!

Kirkus Reviews

Based on the title, readers might expect a book of gross humor. Instead they'll find a sweet story of friendship and competition in which everyone can be "best of the forest." Woodchuck Chuck is an artist working in wood and the winner of the Best of the Forest art contest three years running. Then Scooter the possum shows up. When his painting Splatter Matters wins first prize, Chuck is angry and jealous, and he begins to doubt his own abilities. Each of the eight short chapters begins with a full-page illustration that, with the chapter heading, hints at what is to come. Pictures throughout break up the text so new readers will not be intimidated. Chuck's friends provide kid-level comic relief with knock-knock jokes. (Though adults may chuckle at Scooter's similarities to Jackson Pollack and the allusion to current grass-roots movements, these references will mean nothing to beginning readers.) With wisdom beyond their years, Chuck's forest friends counsel him to gracefully accept his second-place recognition, and he rather quickly realizes that "awards are just whipped cream on a sweet-potato pie." The final chapter, "Lesson Learned," guarantees that no kid can miss the message. It's a kindhearted beginning chapter book, but second-graders may wish it had some vomit jokes.

School Library Journal

Chuck Wood is an extraordinarily talented woodchuck. His detailed wood carvings have won the Best in the Forest art competition for three years running. Then Scooter Possum, a gifted abstract painter, arrives in Woodland Forest. At first, Chuck is happy to have a new friend and artistic companion, but his confidence is shaken when praise is heaped upon Scooter and his art. Ultimately, Chuck realizes that friendship and the artistic process are more important than any first prize trophy. Engaging from the get-go, Chuck and Scooter are a duo in the tradition of best friends Frog and Toad. Readers will relate to the overwhelming jealousy, anger, and self-doubt Chuck feels when Scooter is awarded first place in the art competition, as well as his great relief after making amends. The text, printed in an easy-to-read black font against white and pale backgrounds, features wonderful word repetition and witty wordplay, including several knock-knock jokes. Chapter headings cleverly foreshadow forthcoming action, providing a helpful framework for emerging readers. The uncluttered pencil and watercolor illustrations focus on interactions between the Woodland Forest characters; the facial expressions convey emotions and relationships clearly and humorously. Using distinct black lines and soft, cheerful colors, the cartoonish illustrations break up the text into approachable sections within the eight very short chapters. A delightful story for those transitioning from beginning readers to chapter books.

The Horn Book Magazine

Woodchuck Chuck creates stunning objets d'art out of wood, sculptures he proudly enters every year in the Best of the Forest art contest. When Scooter Possum, a painter, arrives in Woodland Forest, the gregarious Chuck invites him to stay in his burrow. The two happily work on their own projects in preparation for the contest, but green-eyed jealousy and self-doubt creep in when, first, Scooter makes a better dessert than Chuck (snickerdoodles) and then nabs the top prize in the art contest. Unhappy with coming in second, Chuck runs home and angrily smashes one of his sculptures. It takes his friend Fawn to remind Chuck of what matters: the joy he takes in making art. Eight short episodic chapters, each creating a separate, but connected, scene, help newly independent readers with stopping and starting points in the text. Numerous earth-toned watercolor and pencil illustrations preview each chapter; mirror important points in the action; and accentuate the characters' emotions through subtle changes in facial expressions. Besides offering a gentle examination of intrinsic versus extrinsic rewards, Landry uses natural language and includes a couple of those perennial knee-slappers: knock-knock jokes. This beginning reader is, without a doubt, as appealing as Scooter's snickerdoodles.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-58089-698-6

E-book
ISBN: 978-1-60734-914-3 EPUB
ISBN: 978-1-60734-915-0 PDF

Ages: 5-8
Page count: 48
6 x 8 1/4