change – BookBunnies

Caramel reviews Guapo’s Great Rescue: Clay Finds a Forever Home by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins

Last week Caramel reviewed Guapo’s Giant Heart: The True Story of The Calf Who Kept Growing, a picture book written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja. Today he is talking about a second book about Guapo and his friends: Guapo’s Great Rescue: Clay Finds a Forever Home, written and illustrated by the same team and published originally in 2023. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

The book bunnies were sent a review copy of the book.

Caramel reviews Guapo’s Great Rescue: Clay Finds a Forever Home, written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja. — Caramel reviews *Guapo’s Great Rescue: Clay Finds a Forever Home*, written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, we have a second Guapo story today.

Caramel: Yes we do. This is about a new animal joining the farm: a horse named Clay.

S: Let’s step back a bit. This book is about Guapo, a big steer in a rescue farm. We read and talked about the first book about his arrival to the farm.

C: Yes. In this book Guapo is all settled in but this time there is this new animal, Clay, who is joining them. But he is kind of distant and doesn’t want to play with the other animals. Guapo seems to understand that he is feeling lonely and scared, just like he did when he first arrived. So, eventually they make Clay realize they are friends, and the horse joins them.

S: That is nice, isn’t it?

C: Yep. Kind of like Clay is rescued twice. And kind of like “and they lived happily ever after!”

S: Yes. But did you know that the real-life Guapo has moved to Wyoming? At least this article that is a couple years old is saying that they were planning to move him and his friends at the farm to a new ranch in Wyoming, because California is kind of hot for him.

C: No, I didn’t know that! It is true that California can get warm sometimes.

S: Then again there used to be all those neat cheese commercials about great cheese coming from happy cows and happy cows coming from California!

C: Yeah, I love those! They are really funny! Especially the one which says “Ooh, foot massage!”

Caramel is reading Guapo’s Great Rescue: Clay Finds a Forever Home, written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja. — Caramel is reading *Guapo’s Great Rescue: Clay Finds a Forever Home*, written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja.

S: Okay, let us look at the book a bit more. So this one was written and illustrated by the same people from the first book. Did you notice that?

C: Yes! Guapo and his friends look exactly like they did in the first book.

S: What did you think about the pictures?

C: As before they are colorful and realistic. And there are a lot of children in this book, they come and play with the animals at the farm. They also have a chicken, a rooster, a few other horses, a pig and so on.

S: True. There are a lot of different animals on this farm!

C: And there is a bunny in this story too!

S: Yes, you are right!

C: So there is this bunny who jumps out of a bush and scares Clay. As we all know, bunnies can be fierce!

S: Really? Do you think so?

C: Of course! So this is a much better book than the first one!

S: Alright! We do like bunnies of course.

C: I mean, steers and chickens and goats are fine too. But of course, dragons are better. Then again, we have some time till we can review another book about dragons.

S: I think that is correct, Caramel. Maybe this is a good time to wrap up this review?

C: Why not?

S: So what do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Guapo’s Great Rescue: Clay Finds a Forever Home, written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja, and recommends it to all young bunnies who enjoy stories about other animals. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Guapo’s Great Rescue: Clay Finds a Forever Home*, written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja, and recommends it to all young bunnies who enjoy stories about other animals.

Caramel reviews Guapo’s Giant Heart: The True Story of The Calf Who Kept Growing by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins

Today Caramel is talking to Sprinkles about Guapo’s Giant Heart: The True Story of The Calf Who Kept Growing, a picture book written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, illustrated by Lara Calleja, and published in 2022. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

The book bunnies were sent a review copy of the book.

Caramel reviews Guapo’s Giant Heart: The True Story of The Calf Who Kept Growing, written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja. — Caramel reviews *Guapo’s Giant Heart: The True Story of The Calf Who Kept Growing*, written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we have a story about rescue animals.

Caramel: Yes, we do, it is about a calf who starts out on a farm, but then a woman named Lynn comes and takes him from his mommy and siblings to her own farm. She names him Guapo.

S: Yes, it seems like the calf and his siblings would be given away or sold, and Lynn took one for her farm because she had room for only one calf. A lot of animals are separated from their parents early in their lives.

C: Yeah, but it is kind of unfair. I like living with my book bunnies family. And it would be sad to have to grow up without you all.

S: Yeah, I am also glad you are growing up with all of us Caramel! But maybe the calf was born into a situation where they could not take care of him. We are lucky that we have enough resources to live as a family and feed ourselves.

C: Yes, that is a very good thing.

S: Glad we agree! Okay, so let us get back to the book. Guapo grows up in Lynn’s farm, right?

C: Yes, until Lynn’s farm runs out of space. Then he is moved, again, to a new farm.

S: Yeah, he grows big, right? But he also makes friends on Lynn’s farm.

C: Yep. He is basically a little calf growing up with a lot of other animal friends. It actually sounds like it could be fun growing up with a whole lot of different animal friends. Putting aside the part that he does not have his family with him anymore.

S: Yes. I think we have to put that aside.

C: Okay.

Caramel is reading Guapo’s Giant Heart: The True Story of The Calf Who Kept Growing, written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja. — Caramel is reading *Guapo’s Giant Heart: The True Story of The Calf Who Kept Growing*, written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja.

S: So what happens next?

C: Then he moves to the new farm, but then he is all lonely again, because the animals in that farm don’t know him. All they see is a big bull. And so they are probably scared of him.

S: Yeah, that is sad too. He is very different from them. But eventually he makes friends again, right?

C: Yes! He is friendly, and at some point Lynn brings a little pot bellied pig that was Guapo’s friend from earlier, so the other animals in the new farm see that Guapo is kind and friendly and they eventually come around to being friendly with him too.

S: So at the end of the book we learn that this story is inspired by a real rescue calf named Guapo who then became a big bull. Were you surprised to learn that?

C: Yeah, I did not know that there were farms where different kinds of animals lived together like that. Like I thought there could be a couple horses and a couple cows and seven chickens and so on. But in this farm that Guapo ends up in, almost all animals are one of a kind. I guess they are all rescue animals. Somehow they could not continue to live where they had been living, so this place and other places like it collect them and give them a home.

S: Yeah, it is interesting, right?

C: Yup. And cool. Because all animals deserve a home.

S: I agree, Caramel. What did you think about the illustrations?

C: It is a nice picture book, and the animals look very real. So I liked them.

S: Yeah, and it is not quite fiction, apparently, and we both learned some things about rescue farms. So that is also good, no?

C: Yep!

S: So maybe this is a good time to wrap this up?

C: Sure!

S: What do you want to tell our readers then?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Guapo’s Giant Heart: The True Story of The Calf Who Kept Growing, written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja, and recommends it to all young bunnies who are curious about the life of real rescue animals. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Guapo’s Giant Heart: The True Story of The Calf Who Kept Growing*, written by Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins, and illustrated by Lara Calleja, and recommends it to all young bunnies who are curious about the life of real rescue animals.

Caramel reviews Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson

Today Caramel is reviewing Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, written by Julia Rawlinson, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, and first published in 2006. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Caramel reviews Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke. — Caramel reviews *Fletcher and the Falling Leaves*, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we are talking about a sweet story about the coming fall season.

Caramel: Yes we are. It’s about a fox named Fletcher who hates change.

S: Well, he is a very young fox and he is not used to change. It is sometimes hard to deal with change, no?

C: Yeah, I don’t quite like change either, but it is sadly necessary.

S: Yes, you had to finish one school and start another. We had to move. You changed teachers, And so on. We have to deal with change all the time. And even when it is natural it can be hard.

C: Yeah. And the change Fletcher is upset about in this book is also very natural.

S: Okay, so tell us a bit more.

C: So Fletcher is this little fox who loves a tree, but one day he notices that the tree’s leaves are losing their nice bright green color.

S: Hmm…

C: Then the tree starts losing its leaves. So Fletcher at first thinks the tree is sick, so he goes to his parent, and asks about it, and the parent says not to worry, because it’s only autumn.

S: Of course! But Fletcher is young, so he probably has not seen autumn before!

C: Yeah, so he eventually comes back to the tree, and sees there is only one leaf left on its branches, so he does anything to keep it on the tree.

S: Oh, I can see where this is going. He won’t be able to help much, will he?

C: Yeah, no. He tries to tape it to the branch, but eventually it falls, and he eventually learns that change is inevitable, and not always bad.

Caramel is reading Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke. — Caramel is reading *Fletcher and the Falling Leaves*, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke.

S: Yes! Dare I mention impermanence? Maybe not. But I remember the very last page! Autumn is normal and after it comes winter! And it can be lovely!

C: Yeah, the last page is really pretty. But the whole book is really nice to look at! The colors are all very nice and warm.

S: Yeah, and things look feathery and really almost dreamlike. I thought of the books we read that were illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, like Captain Rosalie, Colette’s Lost Pet, and Albert’s Quiet Quest. It is really quiet and makes you feel peaceful when you are looking at the pages.

C: Well, you also feel the anxiety and sadness Fletcher is feeling. So those are not very peaceful feelings, but the pictures are still very nice, so maybe you can guess that Fletcher will soon feel better too.

S: Yes, I can see that. You are right Caramel! That’s a lovely observation! So do you like autumn?

C: Meh, it’s nice, but it is nicer in winter, when it’s colder. I like cold, I’m a cold weather bunny.

S: That’s interesting! I like cold more than hot weather, too. But I also love autumn. I like the changing colors, and it is also when school starts which is always exciting!

C: Which reminds me. Tonight is again a school night. Hint hint.

S: Hmm, I think I know what you are getting at. Maybe we have said enough about this book.

C: Yes. I do think this is a really neat book. Young bunnies will enjoy it and this is really a good time to read it because autumn is coming. But maybe we can wrap this review up, so I can go to sleep…

S: Sure, that totally makes sense. Okay, let us wrap it up. What do you want to tell our readers then?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, and is happy autumn is almost here! — Caramel enjoyed reading *Fletcher and the Falling Leaves*, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, and is happy autumn is almost here!

Caramel reviews Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems

All the book bunnies love Mo Willems and his books about the Pigeon. Caramel even reviewed a couple of them for the book bunnies blog. See, for example, his reviews of The Pigeon HAS To Go To School and Be the Bus. Today he talks to Sprinkles about a brand new Pigeon book: Will the Pigeon Graduate? As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we are talking about a new book about the Pigeon!

Caramel: Yep, the best pigeon in the world is back!

S: You have read quite a lot of the other books about the Pigeon. You also reviewed two of them. What is this one about?

C: This one is about how the pigeon is growing up, and he is scared about the future after finishing school.

S: He is already graduating? How exciting!

C: Well, he had to go to school back in 2019 so I suppose it is time.

S: You are right of course. At some point school ends and the rest of life begins.

C: Yep, but I don’t like that idea.

S: Why not?

C: I like being a young bunny going to school. I like it too much.

S: Why do you like it so much? I know you learn a lot of things at school every day and I know you like learning. But you can continue to learn outside of school. too.

C: True, I guess you are right. But at school you have friends–

S: You can make friends after school, too.

C: Yes, but school friends are the best! And at school, people tell you to do things, and you do them, and that is all the work you have. You do not have to earn money, save money, buy or rent a house, and all that adult stuff.

S: I get that, Caramel. Growing up can be hard. And this is exactly what this book is about, isn’t it?

C: Yeah, I guess that the Pigeon is very smart.

S: How so?

C: Well, he knows finishing school means he has to start making important decisions and taking care of more things and being careful about all kinds of details and so on.

S: That is very much true Caramel. But in the end he gathers up his courage and decides he is ready for whatever is coming his way, right?

C: Yes.

Caramel is reading Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems. — Caramel is reading *Will the Pigeon Graduate?* by Mo Willems.

S: I am thinking this could be a really nice gift for someone finishing high school or elementary school or even college. What do you think?

C: Yep, I think in a couple of years, Marshmallow might like it. There is even a little place in the inside cover of the book for a photo of someone graduating. We could put Marshmallow’s picture there.

S: We could definitely do that. But we could also save it for you. You will also be graduating soon yourself.

C: Yes, but I am going to go to another school right after.

S: That still counts as moving to a bigger new world. That new school is bigger than your current one. And there will be a lot of changes.

C: Hmm, I am not sure I am ready for a lot of changes.

S: I know. We are not always ready but they come nonetheless. Anyways, there is still some time, but by the time that change comes, you will be ready. I am quite sure.

C: Hmm, I hope you are right, Sprinkles.

S: Remember how many years ago, you were about to change classrooms and get a new teacher and you were kind of anxious about it? We talked about it when we were discussing My Teacher Is A Robot.

C: Yeah, that was a good book. And I did end up liking my new teacher a lot. Okay, maybe you are right. Maybe I can handle some changes, just like the Pigeon.

S: Yay! That’s the right attitude Caramel! I think this is a perfect place to end this review.

C: Alright by me!

S: Okay, what would you like to tell our readers then?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems and thinks this book would be a great gift for new graduates. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Will the Pigeon Graduate?* by Mo Willems and thinks this book would be a great gift for new graduates.