This compact novel narrated by 10-year-old Woodman takes place over three days, but so much happens in those three days. Patrick Jennings (Guinea Dog) taps into the emotional truth of discovering a potential friend and wanting to know more about him while also not wanting to scare him off.
Toulouse Hulot is a new kid, just arrived from Quebec. He wears a suit and tie to school, "an old-man hat" and black leather gloves. He's ripe for ridicule from Garrett Howell and his henchman, Hubcap Ostwinkle (whose real name is Vitus). Toulouse carries a quill and inkwell in his briefcase, along with an easel on which he paints a still life that the kids compare with Matisse. Woody is intrigued. Partly, Woody is relieved that someone weirder than he is takes some of the pressure off. But Woody also is genuinely drawn to quietly self-assured Toulouse, and his kindness toward the new student opens the way to a friendship. Jennings plants clues about who (or what) Toulouse is--his wide eyes, the way he twists his head all the way around without moving his body, the ease with which Toulouse can perch in high places and cross the creek, his "hooty, breathy voice" (plus the table of contents)--but mostly this endearing story centers on the building of a friendship.
Woody knows what it's like to be odd man out, and he welcomes Toulouse into his world. Jennings demonstrates that one friend can open up a host of possibilities. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness