Ten years after Leslie Patricelli’s first board book took the toddler world by storm, she ventures into a new genre with an offbeat and funny illustrated middle-grade novel.
Lily is pretty lucky. She made a friend on the first day at her new school—even after she barfed on the playground—and now she and Darby are the only two members of the RizzleRunk Club. Darby is fun. She tells funny stories, she likes to catch frogs, and there’s lots of junk food at her house. Darby is good at lots of things, too. Especially lying. Which Lily isn’t. She gets that ants-under-her-skin feeling when she even thinks about doing it. But sometimes telling the truth is just too hard, so when Lily accidently does something to the class rat that she’s afraid to admit, she denies it. Soon the lie feels like something awful sitting in the bottom of her stomach. Will Lily find a way to let it out?
This first full-length narrative, a series opener, from board-book creator Patricelli (Hair, 2017, etc.) is a no-frills, funny story about friendship. —Kirkus Reviews
There isn’t a dull moment in this uproarious first novel from Patricelli, best known for her series of board books starring a springy-haired toddler...Patricelli’s humor is on the mark, and her scribbly b&w cartoons add to the fun. Lily’s self-effacing narration carries this rollicking look at the challenges and rewards of friendship. —Publishers Weekly
This engaging, funny, and heartfelt read will ring true to a young audience; Patricelli shows a real gift for capturing the dramas and goofiness of the age range. Recommended for most collections. —School Library Journal
Patricelli, best known for her adorable board books, illustrates the pages with Lily's hilarious doodles. A sequel, hinted at on the last page, can't come too soon. Grade: A —Plain Dealer
Patricelli nails the anxiety that comes with moving and shyness, particularly the constant worry Lily feels over other people’s opinions...Embellished with Lily’s cartoon drawings, this tween novel about finding your own path is relatable, funny, and sincere. —Booklist
Leslie Patricelli is the creator of a series of best-selling board books starring her inimitable bald baby. She is also the author-illustrator of Higher! Higher!, Faster! Faster!, and Be Quiet, Mike! She lives in Ketchum, Idaho.
Ten years after Leslie Patricelli’s first board book took the toddler world by storm, she ventures into a new genre with an offbeat and funny illustrated middle-grade novel.
Lily is pretty lucky. She made a friend on the first day at her new school—even after she barfed on the playground—and now she and Darby are the only two members of the RizzleRunk Club. Darby is fun. She tells funny stories, she likes to catch frogs, and there’s lots of junk food at her house. Darby is good at lots of things, too. Especially lying. Which Lily isn’t. She gets that ants-under-her-skin feeling when she even thinks about doing it. But sometimes telling the truth is just too hard, so when Lily accidently does something to the class rat that she’s afraid to admit, she denies it. Soon the lie feels like something awful sitting in the bottom of her stomach. Will Lily find a way to let it out?
Praise
This first full-length narrative, a series opener, from board-book creator Patricelli (Hair, 2017, etc.) is a no-frills, funny story about friendship. —Kirkus Reviews
There isn’t a dull moment in this uproarious first novel from Patricelli, best known for her series of board books starring a springy-haired toddler...Patricelli’s humor is on the mark, and her scribbly b&w cartoons add to the fun. Lily’s self-effacing narration carries this rollicking look at the challenges and rewards of friendship. —Publishers Weekly
This engaging, funny, and heartfelt read will ring true to a young audience; Patricelli shows a real gift for capturing the dramas and goofiness of the age range. Recommended for most collections. —School Library Journal
Patricelli, best known for her adorable board books, illustrates the pages with Lily's hilarious doodles. A sequel, hinted at on the last page, can't come too soon. Grade: A —Plain Dealer
Patricelli nails the anxiety that comes with moving and shyness, particularly the constant worry Lily feels over other people’s opinions...Embellished with Lily’s cartoon drawings, this tween novel about finding your own path is relatable, funny, and sincere. —Booklist
Author
Leslie Patricelli is the creator of a series of best-selling board books starring her inimitable bald baby. She is also the author-illustrator of Higher! Higher!, Faster! Faster!, and Be Quiet, Mike! She lives in Ketchum, Idaho.
