Lenny & Lucy

by Philip C. Stead

Book list An overloaded station wagon snakes through a dark wood, with a shaggy yellow dog and a boy named Peter peering from its backseat. I think this is a terrible idea, Peter observes. His dad continues to drive until they cross a wooden bridge and come to a stop in front of their new house, which is not nearly as good as their old house. Afraid that something terrible is hiding in the woods, Peter and the dog, Harold, build a large, pudgy man out of pillows and blankets to stand guard outside. This is Lenny, who is joined the next day by Lucy, fashioned from blankets and leaves. Soon, the unusual foursome is greeted by the girl next door, who comes bearing binoculars and marshmallows: the perfect ingredients for friendship. The smudgy grays of the illustrations match Peter's anxiety over the move, while bursts of yellow, green, blue, purple, and red shine like gems of hope amid his worry. A quiet, comforting tale of finding where you belong. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Any book by this Caldecott-winning duo (A Sick Day for Amos McGee, 2010) is sure to garner lots of interest. Be prepared for eager readers.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2015 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly Peter's new house is surrounded by dark woods, and he spends a long night worrying about what's out there. The next morning he gets to work, making a guardian out of blankets and cushions. Peter names his lumpy guardian Lenny and seats him at the house's wooden bridge, where he can keep the woods "on the other side where they belong." Concerned that Lenny might be lonely, he makes him a companion, Lucy. Readers watch as Lenny and Lucy take on life in Peter's mind, becoming the slow-moving, benevolent grandparents that he needs. (Peter's father is perfectly nice, but preoccupied.) When a brown-skinned girl named Millie appears-she has a plaid skirt, binoculars, and a better attitude toward the woods-Lenny tips his hat and Lucy glows; it's clear that things are looking up. Erin Stead uses faded grays for the alien forest and warm, quiet color for the story's living souls. What stands out is the Steads' (Bear Has a Story to Tell) ability to evoke the wordless intimacy and companionship that every child needs-and will make for themselves, if necessary. Ages 3-7. Agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

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School Library Journal PreS-Gr 2-Peter and his dog Harold are unhappy to find themselves on a journey with their dad through the dark woods on their way to a new home. Peter thinks the move is a terrible idea and if Harold weren't a dog, even he would do something about it. However, the decision has been made and Peter strongly dislikes the ominous looking trees that sit waiting darkly across the wooden bridge by the new house. The woods could be filled with terrible creatures. That first night, Peter and Harold cannot sleep. The next day, Peter takes action by creating a watchman, Lenny, out of pillows and blankets to guard the bridge. This is better, but something is still not quite right. Lenny needs a friend. So Peter and Harold create Lucy and the four become fast friends, making the home by the woods not so bad after all. Then they welcome Millie, who lives next door and likes looking for owls. This timeless story of a boy using his imagination to cope with loss and acclimate to a new environment is sure to draw in readers of all ages. The text is wonderfully imaginative and the mysterious nature of the woods lends feelings of excitement and intrigue. The illustrations perfectly match the mood of the tale, with the backgrounds created in cold grayscale and the characters popping to life with warm oranges, greens, and blues. VERDICT A wonderfully creative story of resilience and friendship.-Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.