The Wonderful Fluffy Little Squishy

PreS-Gr 2—After overhearing her sister say the words birthday, Mommy, fuzzy, little, and squishy, five-year-old Eddie traipses all over town alone, looking for the perfect present for her mother. She visits the baker, the florist, the clothing shop, the antique dealer, and the butcher. Everyone except the butcher gives her something that is neither fluffy/fuzzy nor squishy. The butcher tells her he's busy and frightens her away while waving a bloody knife. When she finally finds a "FLUFFY LITTLE SQUISHY," it looks like a cross between a pink poodle and a rodent. Eddie cuddles it as if it is alive and takes it home to Mom, who wears the best present ever…as a hat? The cartoon illustrations are done in colored pencil with watercolor backgrounds, and the style is reminiscent of Ludwig Bemelmans's art. The colors are muted except for Eddie's bright pink coat and the bright pink creature.