Cork & Fuzz: The Collectors

My 4.5-year-old is beginning to read and though this book is still above her reading level, we were both drawn to the adorable characters and engaging storyline. Cork is a rather wise little muskrat who befriends a precocious possum named Fuzz. In this instalment, Cork and Fuzz, who are best friends by now, go hunting for stones which they both like to collect and end up finding some really large green 'stones' that turn out to be something else. The pair are soon engaged in a fun adventure! The stories are engaging and the full-color illustrations perfectly capture the two critters' antics. Highly recommended for beginner readers!

Cork was a muskrat and Fuzz was a possum. They were best friends, because as friends go, they had something in common . . . they collected things. Cork was into shiny stones, but Fuzz collected all kinds of interesting things from gum wrappers to feathers. Cork needed his friend's help to sweep the ground to see if he could find any more stones. "Ka-chee! Ka-chee!" The feather was tickling his nose. No stones. Next they decided to go to Cork's pond as there were always lots of stones there and maybe they could find a feather for him. They came across some very unusual green stones, but Cork was a little leery of them and didn't think they were stones. All of a sudden they began to crack open. "Maybe they are baby buzzard bees!" said Fuzz. Oh, my! All of a sudden there were a lot of little ducklings to contend with and they thought Fuzz was their mother. Next thing you know there was a BIG buzzard bee and she was some mad. They would have to put their collecting on the back burner for a bit because the some unusual stuff was happening! This was one of those cute books you can't wait to find out what happens in the end. The story is funny, the art work is detailed and the unlikely friendship endearing. This is a Viking Easy-To-Read book. This is a level two book for ages 5-8, grades K-2 and/or the beginning reader. It can be a read aloud book or can easily be read alone. This is an excellent book to discuss the value of friendships.