Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Wed Nov 02 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

A series of animal "before and after" scenes told through single-word puns.What's a buffalo after it comes out of the tub to dry its fur? Why, a "fluffalo," of course! How about a rhinoceros after it drops its ice cream cone? A "crynoceros"! Elliot's simple illustrations show each animal before and after an inciting event, its original and punny new name the only description. The real accomplishment of this astounding board book is that an entire story is conveyed through just two words, one of them being the animal's name. On one spread, the verso depicts an excited, eager hamster who spots a full jar of jam; on the recto, the jar's contents now nearly drained, drips of sticky sweetness cover a full and satisfied "jamster." Elliot's soft watercolor and pencil illustrations play deftly with light and shadow. Carefully rendered expressions, body language, and movements give each animal its own personality. His original approach to storytelling and wordplay for toddlers makes for a charming story. The book ends with a gleefully chaotic image of a hose-wielding turtle ("squirtle!") spraying the other animals. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Delightful images and carefully selected text combine for a silly, innovative, entirely enjoyable read. (Board book. 2-5)

School Library Journal (Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

PreS-K Finely illustrated with pencil drawings and light watercolors, pairs of wildly original rhymes with animal names, like "buffalo, fluffalo," are hilariously presented in wide-open spreads spotlighting an original animal character followed by its newly named counterpart. Readers will laugh aloud at the changes these animals undergo by adding simple words. VERDICT This board book may have a life in the classroom, where children can make up their own names and rhymes. A winner.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A series of animal "before and after" scenes told through single-word puns.What's a buffalo after it comes out of the tub to dry its fur? Why, a "fluffalo," of course! How about a rhinoceros after it drops its ice cream cone? A "crynoceros"! Elliot's simple illustrations show each animal before and after an inciting event, its original and punny new name the only description. The real accomplishment of this astounding board book is that an entire story is conveyed through just two words, one of them being the animal's name. On one spread, the verso depicts an excited, eager hamster who spots a full jar of jam; on the recto, the jar's contents now nearly drained, drips of sticky sweetness cover a full and satisfied "jamster." Elliot's soft watercolor and pencil illustrations play deftly with light and shadow. Carefully rendered expressions, body language, and movements give each animal its own personality. His original approach to storytelling and wordplay for toddlers makes for a charming story. The book ends with a gleefully chaotic image of a hose-wielding turtle ("squirtle!") spraying the other animals. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Delightful images and carefully selected text combine for a silly, innovative, entirely enjoyable read. (Board book. 2-5)