TIM'S BIG MOVE

Will new friends mean that Pico will no longer be Tim’s “best cuddle buddy”?

Feeling somewhat shaky about moving to a new home in a new town, Tim needs to pass on his parents’ assurances to his toy friend, Pico, who definitely does not want to move. This new place sounds too scary, and most of all, it’s too likely that Tim will find new friends there to take his place. But Tim holds him very tight on the way and even tighter during the first night in the new house. As Tim explores his new environs, to Pico’s relief, there are no new friends in sight. Then, on his first day at kindergarten, Tim makes a new friend, and so does Pico. It is great to have more friends, but it is wonderful that Tim and Pico are still best friends for ever and ever. Wagner chooses Pico as the story’s narrative focus, allowing him to voice emotions with which young readers can empathize, while Tim copes bravely with the move. Large-print text surrounded by white space, with Pico’s strongest worries set in larger, bold print is juxtaposed with Eriksson’s soft, slightly fuzzy, finely detailed illustrations. Humans and toys are cartoonlike in execution but have remarkably varied and clearly defined facial expressions.

A fresh, comforting take on a familiar theme.