Picture Book of the Day: Froodle

 

Froodle, written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis.  Add to the list of great radicals in the children's picture book world a little bird who defies tradition and tedium by saying "Froodle Sproodle!" instead of the expected "Peep."  The more conservative-minded Crow expresses outrage at this change (one great spread shows the Crow putting the little bird in its place:  "Crow was not amused"--wow, that's an understatement).  But now that the little bird has caught the silly bug, there's no stopping it and soon scandalous statements as "Tiffle biffle" are emerging from its liberated beak.  And in Portis' absolutely wonderful tale, this feeling of giddy, goofy liberation spreads to the other birds who cannot help themselves--they must say things like "Oobly snoobly!"  Portis, who created the absolutely divine Princess Super Kitty, gives us another story that soars with child-like fun.  And her beautifully rendered comical illustrations are masterful.