While helping others, a rabbit comes to find that she could use a hand herself.
Pebble awakens in the woods to discover that she’s been sleeping on a big brown bear’s belly. “I got lost last night and couldn’t find my way home,” she explains to the bear, whom she dubs Po. Other than offering a “Humph,” Po doesn’t speak, but his stomach does; upon hearing it growl, Pebble resolves to find food for him (“Follow me!”). In the forest, Pebble and Po encounter two more animals in need of help, and they’re welcomed into the fold. Eventually, Pebble admits that she has gotten them all lost—in other words, she, too, needs assistance. As intrepid Po leads the way, the animals find the “field of delicious flowers” that Pebble has been looking for, and she realizes that, as she tells her new friends, “asking for help isn’t easy. But it’s just about the bravest thing you can do.” There’s something contemporary about flighty, free-spirited Pebble (“I always know where I’m going…except when I don’t”), but Simpson’s delicate art, which has brushy-washy background applications of color, has such a classic feel that this charming story could be from any time. Speaking of classics, the featured foursome—each of whom has a distinct need—calls to mind the central quartet in The Wizard of Oz. A sweet, timeless lean-on-me friendship tale. (Picture book. 3-7)–Kirkus Reviews
