Not to be confused with another, equally pleasing 2009 book of the same name, by Janet A. Holmes and illustrated by Judith Rossell, this tale of two friends goes ear-to-ear and tail-to-tail between a rabbit and a pig. Standing side by side, each animal is painting a picture and turns to the other, saying: “I wish I were just like you. / My tail would be as curly as a lemon twist. / My tail would be as fluffy as cotton candy.” Each spread depicts the silly trade-offs, with the speaker indicated by distinct shifts in typeface, until a mud puddle makes them realize that they really like their differences, which make them even better friends. The spare text is complemented by nuanced, mixed-media illustrations in a soft palette set against a white backdrop, while the loose, energetic lines enact the antics. The banter of the first-person dialogue is childlike and exuberant and will have kids smiling while subtly reinforcing individuality. Simply charming. (Picture book. 3-5)
