Felix Stands Tall

K-Gr 2—Wells, known for portraying adorable fuzzy-faced animal characters with endearing and oftentimes assertive qualities, introduces Felix, an agreeable guinea pig who becomes immediate best friends with Fiona. The minute the bond is established, Fiona declares that her new buddy will join her in the big talent show as a pixie at the Guinea Pig Jubilee. She never gives Felix much of a choice when she teaches him the Texas slide step and how to in-line dance in costume, but far worse is when he is teased as being a "Twinkletoes" and mercilessly bullied by classmates. Only when Felix learns what it means to "stand tall" and face his antagonists with a "Magic Protection Suit" does he rise above his circumstances, even voicing his own opinion to slightly bossy Fiona. Wells's characteristic illustrations are enhanced to a meaningful level with a story that emphasizes how to meet the challenges of bullying without fighting back by tongue or fist. At a time when bullying is on the rise from as early as preschool, this book serves a vital purpose, further demonstrating minimal parental involvement beyond Mama Guinea Pig urging her "angel" to "stand tall" and face his own problems.