Overview

As Mervin the Sloth stands silently, giant letters drop onto the page: “Mervin the Sloth is about the do the best thing in the world!.” But what is the best thing in the world What is Mervin about to do All the animals barge in with their own ideas. Digging, flying, becoming president, doing everyone's homework Everyone is waiting, but Mervin is so slow . . . and they all wander off. All except Amy the Red Panda. The best thing in the world Hugging your best friend. In her debut picture book, Colleen AF Venable balances zany, pitch-perfect humor with warmth and heart. Ruth Chan's artwork brings to life a cast of irresistibly huggable animal characters. These two talented and funny women have created a book that plays with form, makes you laugh out loud, and introduces us all to our new, very slow-moving, best friend.

Full Product Details

9780062338471

Table of Contents

Reviews

Mervin has top billing, but the real star of Venable s semi-metafictional story is the title itself The repartee and Chan s cartoon choreographing of the argumentative cast crackle with silly energy. --Publishers Weekly

Mervin has top billing, but the real star of Venable s semi-metafictional story is the title itself The repartee and Chan s cartoon choreographing of the argumentative cast crackle with silly energy. --Publishers Weekly A best thing, indeed. Chan s appealing, cartoon-style watercolor illustrations enhance the humor of the text throughout the picture book and employ a distinct, memorable style. A book to hug close and then share with a friend. --Kirkus Reviews Emerging readers will delight in reading this metafiction narrative. ...The simple, distinguished watercolor illustrations create drama, and the details on every page invite repeated viewings. A fabulous choice for young readers and for storytime sharing. --School Library Journal Mervin has top billing, but the real star of Venable's semi-metafictional story is the title itself...The repartee...and Chan's cartoon choreographing of the argumentative cast crackle with silly energy. --Publishers Weekly A best thing, indeed. ...Chan's appealing, cartoon-style watercolor illustrations enhance the humor of the text throughout the picture book and employ a distinct, memorable style. A book to hug close and then share with a friend. --Kirkus Reviews Emerging readers will delight in reading this metafiction narrative. ...The simple, distinguished watercolor illustrations create drama, and the details on every page invite repeated viewings. A fabulous choice for young readers and for storytime sharing. --School Library Journal -Mervin has top billing, but the real star of Venable's semi-metafictional story is the title itself...The repartee...and Chan's cartoon choreographing of the argumentative cast crackle with silly energy.---Publishers Weekly -A best thing, indeed. ...Chan's appealing, cartoon-style watercolor illustrations enhance the humor of the text throughout the picture book and employ a distinct, memorable style. A book to hug close and then share with a friend.---Kirkus Reviews -Emerging readers will delight in reading this metafiction narrative. ...The simple, distinguished watercolor illustrations create drama, and the details on every page invite repeated viewings. A fabulous choice for young readers and for storytime sharing.---School Library Journal

Author Information

Colleen AF Venable is the author of the National Book Award longlist graphic novel Kiss Number 8, as well as forthcoming middle grade graphic novels, and the Pet Shop Private Eye graphic novels. Her picture books include Mervin the Sloth Is About to Do the Best Thing in the World and Amy the Red Panda Is Writing the Best Story in the World. Her day jobs have included marketing positions at the Children's Book Council and Roaring Brook Press, before becoming art director at First Second and Workman Publishing. She is currently founding art director of the new Odd Dot imprint at Macmillan. She grew up in Walden, New York, and attended Wagner College, where she majored in English and studio art. Colleen AF Venable lives in Brooklyn, New York. Before becoming a full-time illustrator and author, Ruth Chan spent her childhood tobogganing in Canada, her teens living in and exploring China, a number of years studying art and education, and a decade working with youth and families in underserved communities. She now writes and illustrates in Brooklyn NY and enjoys hanging out with alpacas very, very much. Visit ohtruth.com for more info.

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