Laundry Day

Tic and Tac are a pair of bored badgers. They've read all their books (then read them backward). They've caught all the fish in the pond (then let them go). They've built a fort (and invaded it). When their tired mother suggests that they help her hang laundry, they're intrigued. "We haven't done that yet," says Tac. They master the skill quickly, so when Ma Badger leaves them in charge while she goes to the market, they are finished in no time. If only there was more laundry to hang! The industrious brothers set to work finding other things to hang on the line: "They pilfered the pots. They pirated pillows. They looted lampshades and even took the toaster!" When Ma comes home, she's in for a big surprise. Luckily, she has a mom trick up her own sleeve.

Jessixa Bagley (Before I Leave; Boats for Papa) has perfectly captured a typical moment in every child's life, and the wonderful havoc that can be wreaked by a couple of restless kids. Readers will lose themselves in Bagley's warm pen-and-watercolor illustrations: the bric-a-brac and knickknacks alone will entertain for minutes on end. Tic hanging by his knees to attach newspapers (and a vase with flowers) to the line while Tac stands on a stump to hang roller skates is pure viewing pleasure. Perhaps the best illustration of all is at the beginning, when Tic and Tac sprawl on the lawn, arms akimbo, saying, "I'm bored." "Me too." Who hasn't been there? --Emilie Coulter, freelance writer and editor

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