A comfortably dressed owl is sitting at home when the doorbell rings. He smiles and welcomes a little lizard pulling a cart full of packages containing goodies he has brought for the owl-like creature, who shows his many large, white teeth as he grins, grabs, and quickly devours each gift. He doesn't even bother to unwrap the last present before swallowing it, leaving a red ribbon hanging from his mouth like a long, forked tongue. Stunned, the lizard is clearly worried about his fate when the owl licks his lips, picks up his friend, and kisses him ("SHMACK") before saying, "Perfect presents, thanks. Just my taste!" and offering the lizard a cup of peppermint tea. A German illustrator, Kuhl offers an amusing story here, illustrated with style. Crayon-like lines add texture, color, and shading as well as define the black squares that frame the cartoonlike illustrations. The text, almost entirely dialogue, appears in speech balloons. With its moment of dark humor, this picture book may appeal to school-age children more than preschoolers. Fun for reading aloud.

The presence of presents cements a friendship.In this story, a New Zealand import by way of Germany, a tall, potbellied, anthropomorphic horned owl relaxes in an armchair, expecting a visitor. In walks the cheery arrival: a short, slender, yellow-and-black creature resembling a salamander and wheeling a blue shopping cart. The visitor pulls out a cake, declaring, "I made it myself!" and hands it over. The owl promptly swallows it whole. This gift is followed by a colorful "freshly picked!" floral bouquet that also makes its way down the owl's gullet. Unsurprisingly, a third offering-a gaily wrapped, bow-bedecked box-also gets inhaled whole. After each presentation, the owl expresses their appreciation with a rub of their rotund abdomen. When the owl raises the benefactor to their mouth, readers might well surmise things won't end well. Surprise, surprise, however: The owl presents a present of their own and a gracious, punning compliment. This short comic, told in very spare language, conveys a sweet, simple message that children should easily comprehend and, hopefully, emulate: Kindness begets kindness. The lively, humorous illustrations, set in two panels per page, are endearingly expressive. The book is a lively conversation sparker, and adults should encourage discussion about the protagonists' relationship, why the visitor bestowed these gifts, and what presents children would give the owl.This cute story is like a present and a friendship-to be enjoyed and shared. (Graphic fiction. 3-6)