Nibbles: A Green Tale
Kindergarten-Grade 2—A guinea pig loves dandelions, just like everyone else in his town. The plants are eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all snacks in between until they slowly disappear. Then everyone is forced to eat chewy cabbage. Luckily Nibbles discovers a lone dandelion survivor growing under his bedroom window. With great patience and the help of a library book, he cares for his secret treasure until it has a full head of billowy white seeds. Then, from the top of Daisy Chain Hill, he blows the precious seeds all over Dandeville, which is soon awash in tasty treats again. Now Nibbles has two hobbies, soccer and growing dandelions in lovely raised beds. Middleton's tale of overconsuming and scarcity is direct but not preachy. Using a bold font for emphasis, the text is simple and age appropriate, but the mixed-media illustrations steal the show. A photo of a cabbage is combined with drawn elements such as insects. The library scene is full of humorous book titles that will elicit chuckles from young and old. Every page features something that draws the eye in for a closer look. A great tie-in with gardening or plant conservation, or just an enjoyable read.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH(c) Copyright 2010.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.