Merry Merry Holly Holly

September 14, 2015
Ten years after their eponymous debut in what would become a series of early readers, Cork and Fuzz make their first appearance in a picture book, one that finds the pensive muskrat and free-spirited possum trying to figure out why a certain winter day feels special. McCue lavishes attention on the two friends’ wiry fur, as well as their rural surroundings, as they tromp through snowy fields to find the right tree under which to think. A spontaneous song Fuzz starts singing (“Merry, merry, holly, holly, ho-ho-ho”) and visual cues like holly and jingle bells point to a clear answer, but Chaconas sidesteps any explicit mention of Christmas. “Being together makes a day special,” says Fuzz after the two discover a peaceful pine tree, laden with snow and decked with lights, which is all the explanation these animals need. It’ll be enough for many families, too. Ages 3–5.

September 1, 2015
The stars of a popular early-reader series move on to the picture-book world in this gentle story about finding a Christmas tree. The two friends explore the wintry countryside together, focusing on trees and meeting noisy birds. Cork the muskrat is the thinker of the two, with "a head full of thoughts." He offers logical explanations and leadership. Fuzz the possum seems "to have a head full of air," asking hilarious questions, playing loudly, and generally acting as comic relief. Cork wants to find a good tree to sit under for a spell of thinking to try to figure out why this day is a special one, while Fuzz wants to sing his newly invented holiday song: "Merry, merry, holly, holly, ho-ho-ho!" As darkness falls, the pair find a jingle bell and a snowy evergreen decked with bright lights. They have time to think together about their special friendship before hanging the bell on the tree and singing their merry little tune together. The plot is minimal, and the repetitions of the made-up song are a little tedious, but Fuzz and Cork are both endearing fellows. McCue's finely detailed watercolor-and-ink illustrations capture the personalities of the two animals as well as the magical atmosphere of the final snowy scene with the glowing Christmas tree. A quiet, satisfying story about a charming pair of friends celebrating their affectionate bond. (Picture book. 3-5)

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October 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 1-In their first picture book, Cork and Fuzz (Viking, 2005), the muskrat and possum best friends of the eponymous beginning reader series, try to figure out why this day seems so special. Noisy birds (tweeters) and squirrels (squirtles) keep disturbing Cork's cogitation, not to mention the fact that Fuzz keeps singing a song with the inexplicable words "Merry, merry, holly, holly, ho-ho-ho" and jingling a gold bell that he finds. Kids will add up the clues to come up with one answer, but they will still find Cork's conclusion satisfying. As he and Fuzz lie under a front yard pine tree bedecked with snow and twinkling lights, Cork figures that being a friend in a beautiful place makes any day special. The simple story is enhanced by detailed illustrations depicting the two expressive pals cavorting against a snowy forest backdrop. VERDICT A warm and fuzzy tale that is imbued with the holiday spirit despite never mentioning the word Christmas.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2015
In their first picture book, easy-reader best friends Cork (a deep-thinking muskrat) and Fuzz (a happy-go-lucky possum) roam the snowy landscape, wondering why the day feels so special. Cork keeps looking for a quiet place to think, while Fuzz distractingly sings ditties ( Merry, merry, holly, holly, ho-ho-ho! ) and shakes a jingle bell. Finally, as darkness falls, they come upon a lighted fir tree, and Cork realizes why the day is special. His conclusion is not the expected oneyet it may feel just as Christmas-y as an overt recognition of the holiday. Expansive watercolor illustrations evoke a beautiful winter's woodland day but keep the focus tightly on the two friends. martha v. parravano

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)