Despite best intentions, Taylor has been unable to achieve his dream of exploring the world, as described in series opener Sydney & Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World (2021).Taylor is a hedgehog with many Big Ideas; his best friend, Sydney, is a skunk who much prefers a quiet existence in their well-appointed burrow. Taylor is brave, until he isn't, while calm, supportive Sydney is usually the one who rescues him from his follies. This time Taylor's Big Idea is so outrageous that Sydney laughs at him, deeply hurting his feelings. Taylor has decided that he is going to fly. A plan promulgated by some friendly birds works for a while, but Taylor hits panic position and Sydney breaks the fall. Deer send him to a bat, a mammal that flies. Taylor is pulled up on the roof with an umbrella tied to him for webbing. But he panics again, and Sydney breaks this fall also. A flying toy buzzes over and lands near them, giving Sydney an even Bigger Idea. A few safety measures, some near disasters, and more Big Ideas later, and the friends are happily safe at home after a successful conclusion. Davies tells the tale with great humor in vivid, expressive syntax, working in a few animal facts along the way. Taylor and Sydney are genuine friends who accept each other's idiosyncrasies. Bright illustrations appear in vignettes, single-, and double-page spreads, closely following the action, capturing the characters' every changing emotion in expressive faces and body language, and adding many delightful and intricate details.Friendship is enduring in this hilarious adventure just right for independent young readers. (Animal fantasy. 6-9)

Gr 24 Making new friends isn't always easyand sometimes it can be downright scary. Luckily, though, skunk Sydney and hedgehog Taylor have each other. In this third installment of the "Sydney & Taylor" series, Taylor expresses a desire to make new friends so that they can join him and Sydney for parties, picnics, and dances. A true introvert, Sydney hesitates, but when he realizes Taylor is anxious and lonely, he takes him out on a Great Friend Expedition to meet other animals. Cozy, colorful illustrations on every page tell the story of Sydney and Taylor's trials and errors as they search for a circle of friends that gels when they least expect it. Text and illustrations both exude simplicity and childlike wonder, making this a charming tale that will resonate with children who could also find themselves stuck between extroversion and sudden shyness. Well paced and tightly structured, the book's short chapters call back to previous titles in the series while allowing the story to stand on its own. VERDICT A sweet, humorous story about the pleasures of home, family, and friendship that is reminiscent of the works of Cynthia Rylant and Arnold Lobel.Gina Elbert