Book Review: Hondo & Fabian
Do you remember the lightness of summer? Not just the light from the summer sun, but the feeling of openness and possibility? The simple joy of waking with no responsibilities and an endless day of fun ahead of you? That is Hondo & Fabian, a Caldecott award winner written and illustrated by Peter McCarty. It’s a long, happy summers day.
Hondo is a dog. Fabian is a cat. Hondo goes to the beach, while Fabian stays home. Hondo has fun playing on the beach with his dog friend Fred. Fabian stays home and has fun too — he is chased by the baby and plays with the toilet-paper roll. The day ends with both at home, full and fat from eating dinner and ready to go to sleep.
The story is simple, sweet and gentle. The language just right for lulling its audience to sleep. The colored-pencil illustrations are warm and loving. As day turns to night, the images soften and the palette subtly darkens. Hondo and the baby drift off to sleep while Fabian looks out into the night sky.
Ages: 2+ (while the story is simple, this book will have staying power. Animal lovers of all ages will appreciate the fuzzy warm images and nostalgic call of warm summer days.)
(To return to the Footy Pajamas store to shop for pajamas, click here.)