You and Me <br><small>by Genevieve Cote</small>

You and Me is a sweet little book that would make a very nice gift for expectant parents.

The artwork by Genevieve Cote is in soft watercolor pastels and is very appealing. (Actually its mixed media, but it's the watercolor-y elements that caught my attention.)

The story is a good read-aloud and extols the merits of both friendship and being yourself. It uses two principle actors, Pig and Rabbit, and begins with them standing at easels, sort of gazing over at each other's canvases. Then Rabbit exclaims, "I wish I were just like you". To which Pig agrees, except that Pig wishes she/he were like Rabbit.

This sets the two off on a course of pretending and dressing like each other so that they begin to actually look like each other. Pig, for example, dons a pair of stockings that are pretend Rabbit ears. And Rabbit finds a large button in order to have a pig nose.

They go on changing their appearance until they realize that they aren't happy being someone else.

Talking Points :::
"You and Me" is a delightful little book by award winning author/artist Genevieve Cote. (This book was sponsored by the Conseil des arts et lettres du Quebec.)

o Her book is a good read-a-loud for younger children and unlike some other books for small fry it actually has a message or two.

o In particular I liked the language that Ms. Cote used. Her words are lyrical and the metaphors are richer than you find in many books in this category. For example, at one point Rabbit exclaims, "My tail would be as curly as a lemon twist." A fun image.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs