By Rachel Lawson
This month we release The Kerfuffle by Clotilde Perrin, a book sparked by a dispute the author was having with her own neighbour. The book’s beginnings remind me that children’s books about arguments are not for giving lessons. Rather, they’re the stories we find in the events and human behaviour around us every day.
These are some of my favourite Gecko Press kerfuffles for a range of ages.
In Lionel is Just Like Dad, an overenthusiastic Lionel accidentally bonks Dad on the head with a shoe. Dad needs to take a breather, then rescues the situation with a big hug.
Kind Crocodile turns his teeth on his friends as a brief reminder not to take him for granted—before flipping back to their side again.
In Twigs and Stones, Snake and Lizard divert their argument with a lovely shared egg for dinner. Food can solve a lot of problems.
Although not in Two for Me, One for You. With sharing food, we know what’s polite, but Bear and Weasel articulate everything that stirs inside when we feel something delicious has not been divided fairly. My favourite exchange is this one, for the detail of Weasel’s justification:
“One for you, two for me. That’s fair, because I found the mushrooms.”
“That’s not fair at all! You brought them home to me and I did all the work. I wiped the mushrooms and seared them and seasoned them and simmered them in the heavy pan. With parsley!”
Like The Kerfuffle, Two for Me, One for You doesn’t have a neat ending. But how much more enjoyable to share the emotions, cheer on the wit, and find enough layers to come back for another read. There’s more food to share for dessert, and three will never divide by two.
Some Gecko Press books about disputes, debates and kerfuffles
Kind Crocodile by Leo Timmers, 1–3 yrs
The kind crocodile gives shelter to one animal after another on his long green back, scaring away their pursuers—until the load becomes too heavy and the crocodile doesn’t feel so kind anymore.
“A diverting reminder that kindness comes in all shapes and sizes—and sometimes requires community.” — Publishers Weekly
Lionel Is Just Like Dad by Éric Veillé, 1–3 yrs
A warm father/son story in which an irresistible lion cub proudly tries to be just like Dad, in the mischievous board book series starring Lionel and his tolerant father.
“Éric Veillé celebrates the father-son bond by presenting a stylized lion and his cub performing similar actions . . . This mirror game eventually gets a little out of hand when a heavy shoe goes flying through the air and Dad loses his cool. Lionel is still watching though, still copying his father’s actions—so it’s all the more meaningful when the dad shows his son how to cheer up and bounce back after something goes awry.” — Wall Street Journal
The Kerfuffle, 3–5 yrs
A picture book in which flaps and die-cuts tell the story of a dog and cat fed up with living side by side who build a wall between them—until a new friend and a new idea bring it tumbling joyfully down.
“Perrin’s illustrations are bursting with energy, and the flaps invite curious readers to look closer, reconsider, and reframe the story—a brilliant prompt for conversations about perspective, conflict, and empathy.” — Mathew Tobin
“Form and function meld with fun and whimsy in a tale of the futility of building walls.” — Kirkus Reviews
Two for Me, One for You by Jörg Mühle, 3–7 yrs
In this witty, warm story about sharing, arguing, and being outwitted, two friends share three mushrooms in their forest kitchen . . . who will get the extra one?
“Sharing is well-trodden territory, but Mühle’s take is full of woodsy charm.” — Publishers Weekly
“A wonderfully witty picture book about friendship and sharing.”
— CLPE core book choice (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education)
Twigs and Stones by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop, 4–7 yrs
Snake and Lizard want to write their names on their burrow’s front door. But whose name will go first? This warm and wise picture book captures the essence of friendship and nudges us to notice the power of our words.
“The author delivers a charming tale of friendship, humor, and the fine balance of living together . . . This book is a perfect read-aloud and is excellent for the classroom, teaching readers the value of kindness through humor.” — School Library Journal
