Pen Pals

K-Gr 2—Oscar, an ant, and Bill, an octopus, exchange letters during the school year in this simple epistolary picture book. The two ask each other basic pen pal questions and share their likes and dislikes. "I have six legs. Do you have any brothers or sisters?" "I have a goldfish named Goliath. My favorite colors are 1) blue, 2) purple, 3) yellow. What's yours?" The letters are short and chatty with a mild hint of drama as the ant and octopus look forward to a promised visit at the end of the school year. Pichard has a strong graphic style, using basic shapes and white space to portray Oscar and Bill sitting at their respective desks. There is some subtle visual humor, such as when Bill sends Oscar a seashell, which Oscar wears as a hat. More interesting are the depictions of the letter carriers, a mouse and a penguin, who transport the missives across town and out to sea.