TOYLE AND TUBBLE

A small-eared rabbit and a raggedy sailor become best friends in Angel’s series-starting picture book.

Tubble, a small, white rabbit, lives all alone. On one side of Tubble’s meadow is an ocean; on the other is a forest. Tubble seems happy, but he leads a lonely life. When Tubble spots a boat with a person on it, the rabbit is excited to welcome someone new to shore. The craft lands, and Toyle, the sailor who greets Tubble, announces that the crew is looking for a new shipmate. Tubble’s worried: Can a small, weak rabbit be a good adventurer? Toyle assures Tubble that the rabbit is stronger than they think, as well as brave, smart, and kind. Hearing that praise (“I believe in you. Do you believe in yourself, too?”), the rabbit starts to build faith in their own heroic qualities. While readers may wonder how Toyle recognizes a kindred spirit so quickly, the characters’ repeated affirmations of their own virtues and their decision to become fast friends make them instantly likeable (the rabbit is shy about their merits, and humble even after finding a new mantra). Angel’s simple font and spare text are very approachable, with no words longer than “adventurer” to challenge emergent readers. The digital cartoon illustrations against painterly backgrounds are simple but have an iconic feel. Though Tubble’s small ears initially look disproportionate, they become a character trait.

A sweet, empowering debut.