This is Katherine Battersby’s eighth illustrated story book and the first in a new series of graphic stories for junior readers.

Everybody needs someone like Speedy the worm in their lives.

Even Cranky, the super cranky chicken who gets cranky from things such as bright sunshine and dirty dirt.

Speedy’s cheerful and funny and just wants to be friends with Cranky.

But does Cranky actually need a friend? Cranky is fine, fine, fine just fine on her own.

Well, kids will see that answer to that pretty much straight away, and will have fun waiting for the penny to drop.

In the three stories told in this beautiful book, Cranky and Speedy go on a journey and learn what it means to have a friend and to be a friend, and to push the boundaries of your fears.

Battersby’s illustrations are simply gorgeous and gorgeously simple. She can even make eyebrows look natural on a chicken. I especially loved her little nod to the Very Hungry Caterpillar in the third story. Battersby’s books have been shortlisted for many awards, and I hope this will be the one that cracks it for her.

February 3, 2022 at 11:32PM Jo-Ann S