You Go First
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- USD 10.99
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- USD 10.99
Publisher Description
In the spirit of Mo Willems and Ben Clanton, this “extremely funny and spot-on sensitive” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) picture book shows how a good friend can become even better by trying new things and putting others first.
Cat and Duck are very good friends and play together all the time, so when the new slide gets built, they can’t wait to try it out! Only, the slide is very big and curvy—what if it’s too big for Cat? As Cat and Duck move closer to the front of the line, Cat imagines everything that could go wrong until his worries start to rub off on Duck. Now Duck doesn’t want to go down the slide either.
Cat feels bad that Duck is missing out on the fun because of him. Can he find a way to make it right?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
There's a new, taller, curvier slide on the playground, and close friends Cat and Duck have two very different feelings about it: Duck is outwardly eager, and Cat clearly is not, though the kitty doesn't admit it. In the name of being "a very good friend," Cat suggests that Duck consider the other playground options: "Duck, do you want to go on the swings first? Or in the sandbox? The sand is looking very sandy today." Finally, after creating several delays, and insisting Duck don wholly unnecessary protective gear, Cat's anxieties pour out. "Duck, I must warn you. If you go down that slide, you may fall! And scream! And cry!" Duck sadly acquiesces, "even if I was looking forward to it," but the story keeps going, ending on a note of small triumph for both of the friends. In a second match-up from collaborators Bernstein and Rosenthal (We Love Fishing!), character-forward playground vignettes, rendered in sturdy pencil outlines and cheery digital color, are comically in sync with the interplay and mood of the deadpan, emotionally astute narration and dialogue. Ages 4–8. Author's agent: Sean McCarthy, Sean McCarthy Literary. Illustrator's agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties.
