November 1, 2023
Duck, Cat, and the gang need a new place to hang out. "Bored outta their gourd," the friends search for somewhere to go, but each spot they try is a dead end. The arcade is closed, the skate park's too crowded, and the local food shack is a mess. As they're brainstorming other options, Turkey suggests building a treehouse, and the others jump on the idea. Skeptical Cat deems the idea "crab" (uncool), but Duck and the others are into it. The gang go into the woods to find the perfect tree, and the friends disperse to collect building materials. They each pitch in and work hard...except Cat, but he eventually brings the finishing touches that really make this place a "far-out hangout." This second installment has the same format as the earlier book in the series: three chapters with minimal words and fun, cartoony comic panels. Like The King of Cool (2023), it features children having fun by living it up and accomplishing something together. Petrick's art is kid-friendly with a rad edge. The anthropomorphic animals sport sunglasses, baseball caps, and graphic tees. Young readers may not get all the old-school references, but they'll appreciate the sick vibes and smooth wordplay ("dope-as-a-cantaloupe"). Totally sweet! (Graphic fiction. 5-8)
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December 2, 2023
Gr 1-4-When Cool Duck and his friends realize they need a new place to hang out, they decide to build a tree house. Each friend brings specific skills to the project, such as Turkey painting with her feathers, or Cat putting in a TV. Though the piece is charming and nostalgic, with their heavy use of slang and X-treme sports activities, Cool Duck and his friends feel incredibly reminiscent of 1990s fast food ad campaigns, which may be unrelatable to young readers. Older children might enjoy their antics, but those using this as an easy reader will find it's not meeting them on their level. The team will often make fun of one another without ever addressing the matter, making the piece feel even more out of touch. Word choice is usually simple, as this seems geared toward the early reader set, but curveballs, such as "bodacious" and "dope-as-a-cantaloupe" feel out of place. Illustrations are the highlight, as the strong outlining and bold, modern color palette make the characters really come to life. VERDICT While the book is fun and nostalgic, the 1990s references may feel unrelatable to the target audience.-Peter Blenski
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