ALA Booklist (Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2013)

French turns in a first-level reader that bares none of the disturbing hallmarks of her previous works, like the award-nominated The Ticking (2006) or Micrographica (2007). Instead, the tale of Polarhog's attempt to pull his friend Barry the Bird out of a humdrum existence is told in generous two-page spreads that give the environments a lustrous feeling and allow readers to appreciate the idiosyncratic personalities packed into the characters' distinctive faces. Alternating subdued colors with much brighter ones also helps breathe lovely life into some of the book's visual punch lines. The needs and nuances of children's literature are well represented, as echoes of Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad books find their way into the slightly morose Barry and his upbeat pal, and friendship and cooperation are the key themes here, with Polarhog arranging a colorful surprise with the help of some friendly ants. Naturally, in the tradition of curmudgeons since time immemorial, Barry is eventually won over by his friend's love and devotion. Yet another winner from TOON.

Horn Book

Polarhog promises his grumpy best friend Barry a surprise. On a walk they stop for silly hats ("I donot like hats") and snacks ("I don't like ice cream"); it's all a distraction while ants decorate for Barry's birthday. While advertised for "brand-new readers," the quirky plot, dry humor, and subtly deadpan illustrations read older. Tips for reading comics with children are appended.

Kirkus Reviews

Bored Barry's buddy has a surprise for him, but when will they get to it? Snaggle-toothed, big-nosed Polarhog (who looks like a big, white groundhog) knocks on the door of his friend Barry, a small, big-headed blue bird, waking him from a lovely nap. Polarhog has a surprise for Barry somewhere. On the way to the surprise, they pass a hat store. Despite Barry's insistence that he doesn't like hats, Polarhog buys them both hats...but that's not the surprise. It's not the ice cream Polarhog buys his buddy, nor is it the meatball Polarhog finds (don't ask where). They return to Barry's house to find it gloriously painted and decorated for Barry's birthday by the ants the friends have been passing throughout their long walk. French, winner of several comics industry awards for her trippy, often disturbing work for adults, releases her first children's title not under the "Rainy Dohaney" pseudonym. As a "level 1" comic for emergent readers, it will likely confuse children more than entice them to the format. The full-bleed illustrations have no panels. The friends walk a continuous path in the illustrations and appear multiple times on the two-page spreads. At one point, they stand outside the hat shop, and on the same page, their voices also come from within. This nice story of friendship breaks too many rules of the format for readers just starting out. A rare miss for this innovative imprint. (Graphic early reader. 5-7)

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

Comics creator French, who has written and illustrated two picture books as Rainy Dohaney, presents an offbeat story of misdirection, generosity, and opposites-attract friendship. Barry, a squarish bird with half-lidded eyes that telegraph disinterest and disdain, is awakened from a nap by his doughy, rodentlike friend, Polarhog, who promises him a surprise. Polarhog leads Barry on a rambling journey down a path, with stops along the way for hats (-I do not like hats,- grumps Barry), ice cream (-I don-t like ice cream,- sniffs Barry), and a found meatball (-EW. Then maybe don-t eat it,- suggests Barry). Their perambulation unfolds over full-bleed spreads in a palette so milky one would be forgiven for thinking the artwork was printed on vellum. As Barry and Polarhog move from left to right, a crew of ants travels in the opposite direction; armed with paint, light bulbs, and wire, they hint at what awaits Barry when he returns to his house, which Polarhog had dismissed as being the color of -snooze.- French-s sharp, pared-down dialogue easily establishes the friends- personalities and provides many moments of humor. Ages 4-up. (Mar.)

School Library Journal (Wed May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

K-Gr 2 When an excited Polarhog wakes Barry up from his peaceful slumber in his boring gray house, promising a surprise, Barry is not impressed. The two friends meander through the woods and past the hat shop, where Polarhog is determined to find the perfect hat for his bird buddy. Throughout the story, ants are seen carrying all kinds of objects that leave a trail for young readers to find Barry's surprise. This funny story has plenty of jokes to keep reluctant readers' interest. A few higher vocabulary words like "tragedy," "bliss," and "decorate" are sprinkled throughout and add to the richness of this excellent little comic book. The whimsical artwork adds subtle humor to the story. Barry's expression when he is wearing his hat is perfectly captured, and the tear in his eye when his surprise is finally revealed is poignant and sweet. Alison Donnelly, Collinsville Memorial Public Library, IL