• Just Right for Two
• written by Tracey Corderoy
• illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
• published by Nosy Crow (Candlewick Press) (2014)
• Roar Score: 4/5

We’re in a weird phase right now in this house regarding picture books. The oldest (5) is into comics and graphic novels in a huge way and likes to listen to chapter books read aloud to her. She still enjoys picture books but doesn’t often request them. The youngest (3) is beyond board books and should be in the middle of the prime picture book years. But he just wants to sit with his sister and listen to her stories.

Therefore, when picture books make it into our bedtime rotation, it’s often because I pull them out and add them to the pile.

Such was the case with Just Right for Two, a relatively recent title from Nosy Crow, a British publisher. (In the U.S., Nosy Crow books are published by Candlewick Press under an imprint of the same name.) And, as per usual, it was enormously well received at bedtime.

There were oohs. There were aahs. There were giggles.

Dog has a big blue suitcase full of treasures and thinks he has everything he needs. Until he meets Mouse and discovers that everything is twice as much fun with a friend.

The story is a rather standard tale about the importance and value of friendship, but Rosalind Beardshaw’s mixed-media artwork is what sets this one apart. I’ll be the first to admit that I often judge picture books by their covers. And this one immediately leaped out at me. That image of the dog and mouse sitting side by side and looking up at the moon is just so striking.

It’s a fantastically heartwarming and charming image. And that’s exactly how I would describe this book: heartwarming and charming.

I think, if there were more books like this one, picture books would be back in heavy rotation and solidly on the kids’ request list.

(Thanks to Candlewick Press who provided The Roarbots with a review copy of this book. All opinions remain my own.)