Felix's new best friend, Fiona, signs them up for the talent show. Though reluctant, he dresses as a pixie, performs a song-and-dance number, and feels proud when they win. At school, three bullies call him "Twinkletoes" and make fun of the performance. Mama's advice ("stand tall") doesn't help much, but after Fiona fiercely stares down the bullies, she shares her secret: an invisible suit of armor d she gives Felix one of his own. Now feeling courageous, he scares off his former tormentors and even manages to stand up to Fiona when she suggests twin cupcake costumes for Halloween. Created with watercolors and aquarelle pencil, Wells' illustrations feature endearing animal characters. The story is tautly written, and while the scene in which the bullies flee from Felix feels like a moment of fantasy, the ending is more convincing, down-to-earth, and original. The notion of a shy protagonist standing up for himself in order to fend off a friend's goofy ideas is an interesting twist on the theme of self-assurance. Fine for reading aloud.

K-Gr 2 Wells, known for portraying adorable fuzzy-faced animal characters with endearing and oftentimes assertive qualities, introduces Felix, an agreeable guinea pig who becomes immediate best friends with Fiona. The minute the bond is established, Fiona declares that her new buddy will join her in the big talent show as a pixie at the Guinea Pig Jubilee. She never gives Felix much of a choice when she teaches him the Texas slide step and how to in-line dance in costume, but far worse is when he is teased as being a "Twinkletoes" and mercilessly bullied by classmates. Only when Felix learns what it means to "stand tall" and face his antagonists with a "Magic Protection Suit" does he rise above his circumstances, even voicing his own opinion to slightly bossy Fiona. Wells's characteristic illustrations are enhanced to a meaningful level with a story that emphasizes how to meet the challenges of bullying without fighting back by tongue or fist. At a time when bullying is on the rise from as early as preschool, this book serves a vital purpose, further demonstrating minimal parental involvement beyond Mama Guinea Pig urging her "angel" to "stand tall" and face his own problems. VERDICT A worthy addition to memorable picture books about bullying and self-worth, like Helen Lester's Hooway for Wodney Wat (HMH, 2002) and Anna Dewdney's Llama, Llama and the Bully Goat (Viking, 2013). Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY