HAVE YOU SEEN MY REFLECTION?

A matchmaking swan finds a mate only after he has realized his own mission gives him self-worth in this original fable.

The animals of Meadow Fields are excited about the big dance to celebrate the birth of peachicks. But while almost all the animals have a partner, one stands alone: Cob Cobblepot, the swan matchmaker. Wanting to help their lonely matchmaker find a mate, the animals all suggest possibilities. Grumpy Frog introduces Cob to a fly, and Mrs. Field Mouse sets him up on a blind date with a crepuscular animal. Cob tries speed dating, online dating, and local meetups—all to no avail. Finally, Cob realizes he is happy to be part of others’ stories. As he looks at the other animal couples, “his heart was filled with joy that he had played the part as an agent to their unions.” The constellation Cygnus rewards Cob’s good heart with a perfect match, formed from a star. The moral here—appreciating one’s own self-worth is more important than finding a romantic partner—is eclipsed by this particular happy ending, but the fairy-tale nature of the story shines through, making it feel at once fresh and familiar. Debut author Law’s language is similarly old-fashioned, evoking the tone of classic tales with challenging vocabulary words for newly independent readers (celestial, simultaneously). For much of the book, the digital illustrations take on a muted hue, with characters that mix some human traits and animal bodies, but the designs are inconsistent, and the lack of clear linework leads characters to blend in with their backgrounds.

A charming traditional fable with a mixed takeaway about self-reliance.