When PB Met J

November 1, 2022
A friendship story with a heaping helping of puns. The Fridgers and the Cupboard Crew seem content to stay on their own sides of the kitchen. The foods that reside in the refrigerator badmouth the nonperishables throughout the day, except Jelly, who wonders if the foodstuffs in the cabinet are really all that bad. The Cupboard Crew is no better; they discuss why the refrigerated items are nefarious--everyone, that is, except Peanut Butter, whose natural curiosity spurs the action of the story. All the food meets on the kitchen island to mingle for the Friday Night Jam, where Peanut Butter, aka PB, introduces himself to Jelly, aka J, after shyly admiring her dance moves. Then, in a scene fit for a teen drama, a smooth-talking jar of pickles barges in, causing PB to leave in dismay and J to lose her lid. This attracts the household dog, who makes a beeline for the vulnerable J, forcing PB to make a brave choice to rescue his new friend. Food puns and jokes dominate. The cartoon foods are adorable, with expressive, emotional faces. It's a shame then that the bulk of the writing is relatively bland, like a loaf of crustless white bread. The social-emotional skill of relationship building is somewhat unrealistically shown in this kitchen that goes from cliquey to cohesive over the course of one fateful evening. Kids may adore the art, but neither they nor caregivers will appreciate the far-fetched foodie fable. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Sweet but not satisfying. (Picture book. 3-7)

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February 1, 2023

Gr 1-2-"The Best Friendship Since Sliced Bread!" is the faux subtitle here, and few readers will want to argue. The comic book-style art is right at home for the anthropomorphized twosome featuring a doe-eyed Jelly and bespectacled PB. Jelly lives with the Fridgers, who are a bit snooty about the Cupboard Crew, and PB lives across the way in the cupboard, wondering what happens when the fridge door closes. There is an incident with a lid, an unconscious PB on the ground, and a family dog who gets blamed for everything. Unity is restored, and PB and Jelly get along just fine. For children curious about the graphic novels their older siblings are reading, this is the place to start, with easy-to-follow speech bubbles and action that is clearly outlined and reinforced by the words. The bright illustrations are drawn in downright flirtatious colors; who knew that refrigerator light was so romantic? VERDICT This feels like the first book of a beautiful relationship, and the other condiments, or side characters, are ready to step into the refrigerator's glowing limelight as well. Readers will clamor for more.-Kimberly Olson Fakih

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