Clovis Meets His Match

Clovis #3

by Katelyn Aronson, Benji Williams (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

36 pages, Hardcover

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

Katelyn Aronson grew up in Southern California, where she went on to work in independent children's bookshops as a handseller, manager, and purchaser.

She won her first trip to Paris in a bookstore window display contest, and the rest was history. She moved to France permanently a few years later.

She has a degree in Liberal Arts, a degree in Language Didactics, and a bilingual Master’s in English/French from La Sorbonne University, Paris. Today, she lives between France and Switzerland and works as a bilingual language instructor.

She has 8 children's books in the publishing pipeline, as well as poems published in various children's magazines.

Reviews

[Lindsay Bonilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clovis has returned! Yay! Only this time, he feels his tea shop is under attack when a rival shop opens across the street! The new shop is modern with fun promotions to draw in customers – and Clovis knows he has to up his game to compete. After he resorts to an unkind and destructive act, he makes a surprising discovery and learns that being rivals doesn’t have to mean being enemies – and maybe there’s room for two tea shops after all.
I love the way this story shows that the very people we may be competing against could actually be our friends.

[Dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another story featuring our favorite bull in a china shop, Clovis! This time, he has competition, and he's not happy about it. See what happens in this cute book!

[Candace Spizzirri · Rating 5 out of 5]

CLOVIS MEETS HIS MATCH by Katelyn Aronson is a delightful and heartwarming addition to the Clovis Series. This charming read-aloud offers something for everyone—humor, emotion, and a touch of tea-time drama.
When Alastair opens a shiny new China shop across the street from Clovis’s cozy, old-fashioned store, Clovis feels threatened. The community is drawn to Alastair’s lively grand opening and his warm, welcoming personality. Feeling overshadowed, Clovis reverts to his old bullying habits, even enlisting his friends to stir up trouble.
But when a surprising connection from the past comes to light, Clovis and Alastair begin to see each other in a new way. There just might be room for both shops—and maybe even a budding friendship.
Benji Williams’s illustrations are vibrant, expressive, and rich with detail, perfectly complementing the story’s emotional depth and playful tone. This book is brimming with heart, humor, and a generous serving of tea. Highly recommended!

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katelyn Aronson delivers another charming tale in this currant book, Clovis Meets His Match, in the Clovis series. This time exploring rivalry, nostalgia, and the power of community. When a sleek new china shop opens across the street from Clovis cozy, old-fashioned store, the bull protagonist finds himself in a battle of style and sentiment with Alistair, a charismatic elephant who seems to win over everyone—including Clovis’ own friends.

What begins as a humorous clash of aesthetics and egos gently unfolds into a story of reconciliation and shared history. Aronson cleverly weaves in themes of honoring elders and embracing change, while Benji Williams’s vibrant illustrations bring emotional depth and personality to every page. The expressive artwork captures Clovis’ frustration, Alistair’s charm, and the eventual warmth that blossoms between them.

Young readers will enjoy the playful competition and colorful scenes, while adults may appreciate the subtle nods to generational values and the importance of legacy. The resolution—where both characters discover their shops were once run by friends—offers a touching reminder that behind every rivalry may lie a shared story worth rediscovering.

This picture book is perfect for ages 5–8, and especially meaningful for families who value tradition, cooperation, and highlights the importance of compromise, getting along, and most, importantly, honoring elders. and a good cup of tea. Whether you're a longtime fan of Clovis or meeting him for the first time, this tale is a delightful blend of humor, heart, and hometown charm.

I love how Katelyn used an old photo album to share precious memories and friendship, helping to show the love of grandparents. (Picture book. 5-8)

[Caroline Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this addition to the Clovis series! In this third installment, Clovis faces fierce competition from Alastair, an elephant who opens a sleek new store that threatens to overshadow Clovis's traditional 'old fashioned' tea shop. In this heartwarming tale of rivalry, pride, and friendship, a surprising connection from the past turns competition into camaraderie. A delightful story about community, change, and the power of kindness!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooray! Clovis is back again! And struggling with complex emotions again. Alastair the elephant has opened a china shop on the same square as Clovis's shop and his anxiety about this doesn't bring the best out in him. But when Clovis takes a trip down memory lane with Alastair's grandfather, Clovis remembers that two shops doesn't always mean competition. It can also mean friendship, support, and complementing each other. Hooray for Clovis!

[Patricia Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clovis and his china shop are back! Katelyn Aronson never misses with Clovis. This new adventure sparkles with real-life problems and solutions. Benji Williams' illustrations bring Clovis and his pals to life on the page and make the unusual cast of characters relatable to children. Every bookshelf should have the complete set of Clovis stories.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit I was dubious about this second Clovis book, especially with a different illustrator. The message, which builds on the first story, is touching and powerful. In a time when it's so easy to see our neighbors as competitors and enemies, this reminds us that there's so much more to be gained by rising above defensiveness and greed.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book about family businesses, animosity, and friendship that is instructive and helpful (and who doesn't love a good cup of tea?)

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first Clovis book, so I had to pick this up when I saw it at the library. Charming, but a little formulaic. And now I see there's a third book, so that's on my list now too!

[Lynne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of adult sensibilities for a children's book.

[Margaret Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet book with a great message. Great illustrations too.

[Nathan Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids love all the Clovis books, and this is another winner. I love how it handles an intense (and intensifying) rivalry in a smart, kid-friendly way. It gets tense while never feeling mean or too serious. The illustrations are full of personality and make the emotions easy for kids to understand. And of course the ending is heartwarming and will probably put you in the mood for tea. Highly recommended!