ALA Booklist (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Budgie is a bear who grows beautiful flowers. Boo is a bunny who grows tasty vegetables. In four simple chapters, the two become best friends, work hard in their gardens, fix a leak in the ceiling of their house, and lose their way on a night walk, bringing the tale full circle. Dramatic two-page spreads announcing "Morning," "Afternoon," and so on, give the story an appealing framework. Both format and story are reminiscent of Frog and Toad (1970), though it's not an easy reader. McPhail's familiar pen-and-ink watercolors imbue each animal with character and personality, and the friendship theme is delivered carrot-crisp and posy-pretty. Preschoolers will be drawn to the cheery cover and giggle over the names d that's before they even open the book.

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

An amalgamation of minor lies becomes a major weight for Julia Gillian--Julia Gillian (and the Art of Knowing)--who struggles with trumpet lessons, her mysteriously distant best friend, and a new school cafeteria monitor. McGhee's affectionate, humorous portrayal of her protagonist's emotional state reveals a keen perception of elementary-school worries. Kozjan's pen-and-ink drawings animate the characters' high and low notes.

Kirkus Reviews

Jewel-toned watercolors and three simple tales of friendship distinguish McPhail's latest outing. The titular Budgie and Boo, a bear and bunny, respectively, are roommates, gardeners and best friends. The first story recounts their discovery of a leak above Boo's bed in the morning. Number two depicts Boo's attempts the fix the leak in the afternoon, despite Budgie's "help." And finally, in the evening the two friends go for a walk only to find themselves in a briefly scary situation. The evocative two-page spreads that introduce each section are lovely enough to be worth the price of admission alone. The simple text, however, is only serviceable and not particularly original. Yet while it doesn't have the same kick as Laura Vaccaro Seeger's Dog and Bear (2007) or James Howe and Marie-Louise Gay's Houndsley and Catina series, McPhail's die-hard fans will be certain to find something to enjoy here. Sweet fare. (Picture book. 4-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

McPhail (<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">When Sheep Sleep) returns to themes of friendship and cooperation in this serene picture book, which is divided into four vignettes. Budgie, an overalls-clad bear, and Boo, a bunny in a vest and pants, share a cozy cottage and are able gardeners (“Boo's vegetables were the tastiest, and nobody grew flowers as beautiful as Budgie's”) and “the best of friends.” A leak that surfaces in the “Morning” section is fixed during “Afternoon,” and the pair takes a moonlight stroll in the final segment. In the story's funniest sequence, a well-intentioned Budgie brings Boo—who is attempting to fix the leaky roof—a rake, shovel and hoe before Boo exclaims, “This is a <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">roof, not a <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">garden! What I need is a hammer and some nails.” Pastel hues dominate McPhail's pen and ink and watercolors, which reveal obvious mutual affection between the friends; bucolic spreads open each section. Though the text is somewhat pedestrian and the pacing occasionally jarring, the placid setting and characters' tender interactions make for a tranquil bedtime read. Ages 3–6. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Apr.)

School Library Journal (Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2009)

PreS-Gr 1 Divided into three chapters, this book features the homey adventures of two gardeners who are the best of chums: Boo, a bunny who clutivates the tastiest vegetables, and Budgie, a bear who grows the most beautiful flowers. When Boo wakes to a wet nose, his buddy discovers a roof leak and pushes his pal's bed out from beneath the drip. In the afternoon, Boo climbs a ladder and fixes a loose shingle in spite of Budgie's well-intentioned (but unhelpful) offer of garden tools to assist with the repair. And in the evening, on a walk that becomes dark and scary for both of them when a cloud covers the moon, Boo reassures his friend that they can return to their home and safety. The simple text features short sentences and some lovely turns of phrase that beg to be read aloud. McPhail's luminous watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations echo the quietude of the comfy relationship as the pair fix breakfast, gaze at the rain, and share a laugh. The delight of spending time with the two friends who watch out and care for one another will make this amiable book a lapsit favorite. Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI