Me And You - Hardcover

Judith Rossell is a full-time Melbourne-based illustrator and textile designer. Among the many books she has illustrated are the Children's Book Council of Australia's 1999 short listed title, How to Guzzle Your Garden, the popular Blackbread the Pirate, and The Lost Treasure of the Green Iguana. Her most recent book is Inspector Stilton and the Missing Jewels.

Janet A. Holmes grew up in Perth, Western Australia. For many years, she worked as a teacher/librarian in a primary school. She now lives in Canberra, where she works for the House of Representatives.

PreSchool-K—Holmes's text and Rossell's art are as perfect a match as their starring characters. Rabbit explains the "many things that I like about being me" as the expressive pair engage in fun activities like somersaults, swimming, slope rolling, and climbing trees. The short sentences with active verbs keep the striped-sweatered pals busy until Rabbit announces that the best thing is "I can be with you," and the buddies halt for a hug. Rossell's clean landscapes mirror the simple text, but she tickles viewers with whimsical touches like the hide-and-seek that ensues when Mouse rises with a balloon bouquet. It's a pleasure to join this celebration of friendship and playing outdoors.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA END