School Library Journal (Fri May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

PreS-Gr 1 Alex, a white dog with a large black spot over one eye, is best friends with a white cat with black markings. One day, Lulu gets her pal thinking about the ways in which they are different; for example, Alex enjoys soccer and playing ship's captain, but Lulu prefers painting flowers. He worries that their relationship is in jeopardy. To reassure him, Lulu offers several examples of true opposites ("big and small," "wet and dry") and reminds Alex that they share many interests in common (pillow fights). What's more, their differences can mesh, making the friendship solid and interesting. Siminovich's spare scenes offer patterned backgrounds and an occasional charming detail, such as a trio of ants carrying a leaf umbrella or a "FRAGILE" packing sticker on Alex's homemade boat. The block figures, who always seem to be on tiptoe, pose in linear fashion. With their retro feel and lack of fuss, the artwork is delectable. Despite stereotypical gender roles, the text serves both storytellers and independent readers. Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Horn Book (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Dog Alex worries that he and his best friend Lulu, a cat, are too different: Alex loves jumping in puddles while Lulu wants to stay dry; Alex goes exploring while Lulu paints. Ultimately, Lulu reassures Alex, "it's because we're so different that we have the most fun." Genial illustrations using simple shapes and eye-pleasing patterns enhance this opposites-attract story.

Starred Review ALA Booklist (Fri May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Starred Review Alex and Lulu are best friends. That's because they like a lot of the same things: running, jumping, and swinging at the park. But there are ways in which the duo differ, and when Lulu notes e are just SO different" ex begins to worry. He remembers that Lulu doesn't like soccer because it squashes her flowers. He wants to play ship's captain, and she wants to paint. Oh, dear. Alex confronts Lulu with the news that they might be dreaded opposites, but she calmly tells him she doesn't think so. Opposites are things like big and small, wet and dry, slow and fast. Alex and Lulu may be different, but they are "together." There are many books about friends who don't see eye to eye, but this one is notable both for the clarity of its message and for the delightfulness of its art. In simple language (and with the added bonus of a lesson in opposites), this cat girl, Lulu, and dog boy, Alex, capture the essence of friendship and find the ways differences can enhance compatibility. (In the last spread Lulu is painting the cardboard boat that Alex is piloting.) This is also a particularly attractive piece of bookmaking. Alex and Lulu frolic on hefty pages against backgrounds of saturated color. Simple geometric shapes, bright colors, and bits of collage invite little ones into a safe, yet expansive world.

Kirkus Reviews

Clean lines and muted colors lend a simple charm to Siminovich's flat cartoon illustrations—which compensates, at least in part, for her jackhammer style of lesson delivery. Alex (a dog) and Lulu (a cat) love pillow fights and playing on the swings. But because he also likes sports, climbing trees, jumping in puddles, pretending to be a sailor and other boy things, while she's more into painting, reading and flowers, Alex begins to fret that they're "too different to be friends." After going off on a tangent with a disquisition on "opposites," Lulu leadingly restores his equanimity by explaining that " sometimes it's because we're so different that we have the most fun when we're—' Together! ' shouts Alex." Most younger children aren't likely to be so analytical about their friendships—and those who are may be more convinced by the many better articulated celebrations of differences, from Frog and Toad and Tony Johnston's Alien and Possum on. (Picture book. 4-6)