MEET THE BOBS AND TWEETS

Bob Seven and Tweet Seven may seem to be in the wrong families, but they’re a perfect fit as friends.

“A mob of Bobs lives like slobs, / A mob! / Of Bobs! / Oh, such slobs. // Seven Bobs are in the mob. / Can you see that six are slobs?” They make such a mess that they need to move. Mo the Realtor sends them to Bonefish Street. “Now meet the Tweets. / A fleet of Tweets. / Of seven Tweets, just six are neat.” They want to move to someplace where they can be even neater. Unscrupulous Mo sells them the house across the street from the Bobs. When the clans meet at the neighborhood pool, a brawl ensues. Dean (Bob Seven) and Lou (Tweet Seven) seek lifeguard assistance to quell the fight, but surely these neighbors are headed for more clashes. Springfield’s series starter tells a tale even those just starting chapters will be able to predict. Repetitive, simple rhymes make for easier reading, but the bland story and several hiccups in the meter will discourage repeated readings. Caldwell’s energetic, full-color, Sunday-comics illustrations are satisfyingly chaotic, doing their best to lift the story up; all Bobs and Tweets as well as Mo appear to be white. Final art not seen.

Falls far short of the Seuss it attempts to achieve; here’s hoping Volume 2 can gain some traction.