Wood Could

★ “As cheerful and dynamic as a comic book . . . Funny details fill the page, but at its heart, the story takes on selfishness and finds a way to make everyone happy. A richly executed comedic piece, this hides tenderness in rough bark but is a real softie when it comes to charm. With funny wordplay and pacing to delight with every turn of the page, this one’s a must.” —SLJ, starred review

“This story seems all fun and games, from Stone’s could-would refrain and long string of wood-related wordplay to Lowery’s clear-lined panels, which move between the girl’s fantasies and Wood’s grumpy reality. But ultimately, the payoff is anything but trivial, as the wooden protagonist finds a warm feeling in helping another.” —Publishers Weekly

“Stone and Lowery team up for some serious wordplay and comic book–like styling, and while this leans more into punny humor than technical literacy skills, the inclusion of figurative language brings kids into the conceptual world of words as opposed to the mechanical.” —BCCB