I enjoyed this nearly wordless comic-book-style story about a girl raising money to buy a friend for her class' pet.

Then I read it again paying closer attention to the background. That's when I noticed Donald Trump and Woody Allen. How out of touch do you have to be to put those alleged creepers in a children's book? (Especially in a scene where they are watching a young girl dance.) The book is full of references children will not understand, so it seems the author had a grown-up audience in mind in addition to kid readers. He must know that including those two was going to at best make some adults uncomfortable. Maybe he's courting controversy. It mars an otherwise fun book. ( )

Adorable graphic novel-style wordless picture book featuring art, cartoon, and New York icons in the background illustrations. Certainly a delight for parents and their young readers. ( )

An almost wordless picture book/graphic novel that tells the story of Grace, who makes it her mission to raise money for the "Gus buddy fund" and get another hamster for her school classroom. The young entrepreneur does this by sneaking out her bedroom window at night and (1) playing violin in the subway, (2) setting up a caricature station on the sidewalk, and (3) dancing in a subway car.

The setting is pretty clearly New York, and there are dozens of visual Easter eggs for adult readers. Grace also has two dads.

Glasses-wearing Grace has a blank, Peanuts-like expression through much of the story, but a satisfied smile at the end, when she dumps her earnings into the buddy fund jar in school the next morning.

*

Re-read July 2021 ( )

Total delight! ( )

Sight gags and celebrity sightings (of sorts) abound in this nearly wordless comic picture book about a girl who raises money to help buy a new pet guinea pig for the class. Kids may not recognize Woody Allen or see the humor in the sign reading "Rump Tower" or a reusable bag from "Half Foods," but they'll follow the girl's moneymaking adventures with avid interest and pore over the illustrations' lively details. A great book for adults and kids to share; literally, there is something for everyone! ( )