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Buffalo Fluffalo
Buffalo Fluffalo and Puffalo
A NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Fluffalo has had enuffalo when his quiet prairie life is turned upside down by the arrival of his new sibling, Puffalo, in this sweet and funny follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestselling Buffalo Fluffalo!
Every day, Buffalo Fluffalo goes about his usual routine. He munches all the grass he can eat, frolics and rollicks with his friends, and at noontime, lies down for a nap in the shade. But one morning, Fluffalo wakes up to a loud wailing cry and, to his surprise, finds a little buffalo named Puffalo with the tiniest, shiniest eyes!
At first, Fluffalo does not like Puffalo. “What does it need?” he huffs in alarm. But Crow wisely explains that Puffalo doesn't need much—just time to learn and grow. Slowly, Fluffalo watches as Puffalo learns to trip, slip, gallop, and trot. He teaches Puffalo to eat plants and to keep away from red ants. Together, the two take long strolls and snuggle for naps. And even though Puffalo sometimes slows him down, Fluffalo realizes that life is much better with Puffalo by his side.
From national bestseller and Emmy-nominated comedy writer Bess Kalb comes this hilarious tale featuring the surly Buffalo Fluffalo and introducing his new sibling, Puffalo. Illustrated by the talented Erin Kraan, readers will delight in the loving message about the joy of discovering that the yelly, smelly, squiggly, and short new sibling might be a tiny bit cute.
Every day, Buffalo Fluffalo goes about his usual routine. He munches all the grass he can eat, frolics and rollicks with his friends, and at noontime, lies down for a nap in the shade. But one morning, Fluffalo wakes up to a loud wailing cry and, to his surprise, finds a little buffalo named Puffalo with the tiniest, shiniest eyes!
At first, Fluffalo does not like Puffalo. “What does it need?” he huffs in alarm. But Crow wisely explains that Puffalo doesn't need much—just time to learn and grow. Slowly, Fluffalo watches as Puffalo learns to trip, slip, gallop, and trot. He teaches Puffalo to eat plants and to keep away from red ants. Together, the two take long strolls and snuggle for naps. And even though Puffalo sometimes slows him down, Fluffalo realizes that life is much better with Puffalo by his side.
From national bestseller and Emmy-nominated comedy writer Bess Kalb comes this hilarious tale featuring the surly Buffalo Fluffalo and introducing his new sibling, Puffalo. Illustrated by the talented Erin Kraan, readers will delight in the loving message about the joy of discovering that the yelly, smelly, squiggly, and short new sibling might be a tiny bit cute.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2025
About the author
Bess Kalb
8 books203 followersBess Kalb is an Emmy Award-nominated writer for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! television show and journalist with The New Yorker magazine. She is the author of the best-selling book, Nobody Will Tell You This But Me: A True (As Told to Me) Story, which recounts the life of her grandmother, Bobby Bell.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
March 2, 2026
“Sometimes the best children’s books are the ones adults need just as much.” – Karen Robert (Me)
I wouldn’t have known about this author—or this series—if I hadn’t been cruising YouTube for dog videos that my corgi, Oliver could watch. But then a headline video stopped me in my tracks. It was Bess Kalb speaking before the United States House Judiciary Committee about “Silencing Dissent: The First Amendment Under Attack.”
What caught my attention wasn’t politics. It was her story as a children’s author. The author of this series. She shared that a school in Montana canceled her visit because some parents objected to her former work as a comedy writer who wrote ‘political jokes’ for the Jimmy Kimmel Show. They hadn’t even looked at the themes in her children’s books.
Well. Of course, curiosity got the better of me. I had to read this “controversial” children’s book.
And the result? Absolutely nothing political. Instead, I found a gentle, heartfelt story about friendship.
This *second book in the series follows Fluffalo the Buffalo and his animal friends, who are happily playing together when they hear a strange noise. Soon they discover a frightened baby buffalo, alone and overwhelmed.
What do they do?
Exactly what we hope friends would do. They offer acceptance, patience, and a safe place to belong. Slowly, and with kindness, they help the little one learn how to eat, play, and trust again.
Told in beautiful, rhythmic verse and paired with warm, expressive illustrations, this story highlights the importance of understanding others—especially when they are different, scared, or unsure. It reminds readers, young and old, that friendship is not just about fun. It is about showing up, being patient, and giving one another space to grow.
Everyday lessons like these, matter. They help children—and maybe adults too—learn to be a little kinder and a little more thoughtful. And perhaps, less judgmental.
Age Level: 4 – 8 years+ Reading Level: Pre-school – 3rd Grade+
*I would have read the first book in the series before this one, but it was on hold at my local library with another reader before me. I hope to receive it soon! 🦬
I wouldn’t have known about this author—or this series—if I hadn’t been cruising YouTube for dog videos that my corgi, Oliver could watch. But then a headline video stopped me in my tracks. It was Bess Kalb speaking before the United States House Judiciary Committee about “Silencing Dissent: The First Amendment Under Attack.”
What caught my attention wasn’t politics. It was her story as a children’s author. The author of this series. She shared that a school in Montana canceled her visit because some parents objected to her former work as a comedy writer who wrote ‘political jokes’ for the Jimmy Kimmel Show. They hadn’t even looked at the themes in her children’s books.
Well. Of course, curiosity got the better of me. I had to read this “controversial” children’s book.
And the result? Absolutely nothing political. Instead, I found a gentle, heartfelt story about friendship.
This *second book in the series follows Fluffalo the Buffalo and his animal friends, who are happily playing together when they hear a strange noise. Soon they discover a frightened baby buffalo, alone and overwhelmed.
What do they do?
Exactly what we hope friends would do. They offer acceptance, patience, and a safe place to belong. Slowly, and with kindness, they help the little one learn how to eat, play, and trust again.
Told in beautiful, rhythmic verse and paired with warm, expressive illustrations, this story highlights the importance of understanding others—especially when they are different, scared, or unsure. It reminds readers, young and old, that friendship is not just about fun. It is about showing up, being patient, and giving one another space to grow.
Everyday lessons like these, matter. They help children—and maybe adults too—learn to be a little kinder and a little more thoughtful. And perhaps, less judgmental.
Age Level: 4 – 8 years+ Reading Level: Pre-school – 3rd Grade+
*I would have read the first book in the series before this one, but it was on hold at my local library with another reader before me. I hope to receive it soon! 🦬
April 14, 2026
"just as dawn cast its first light in the sky,Buffalo Fluffalo has left behind his grumpy ways...maybe. He's made friends with the various prairie critters but even his newfound non-grumpy self is no match for the *drumroll* puffalo.
Old Buffalo woke to a loud wailing cry. Waaaaaa."
Poor Buffalo Fluffalo is stuck with this new Puffalo. This is horrible, the worst...and actually kind of the best?
"I don't like this thing!" Fluff announced with a snort.
"It's all yelly and smelly and squigglish and short!"
Maybe (just maybe) having a little puffalo around isn't so bad...(though Buffalo Fluffalo says the jury is still out!).
"And with that, Puff sneezed with a whizzling toot
And old buffalo realized...He's a tiny bit...cute?"
I thought this was a really cute cute follow up to the original.
I liked watching Buffalo Fluffalo warm up to his new sibling and start to see the good side of being a big brother. The scenes where Buffalo Fluffal taught Puffalo about the world were really heartwarming.
As with the first book, I really liked the rhyming made-up words, I thought they were a lot of fun to say and I had a great time making up goofy voices for the characters.
I will say, the first time I read it through, I wasn't quite sure if Buffalo Fluffalo was the dad or the brother.
In the first book, he's entirely on his own save for some random prairie animals, which puts Buffalo Fluffalo moreso in the 'adult' category in my brain (even when it was revealed that he was a bit smaller than his fluff indicated, I still didn't think of him as a kiddo).
While the pictures and text in the second book implied brotherly relation, the text also refers to him as "old Buffalo" and he seems to spend his days independently in the first half of the book, so again, I kept thinking he was a confused dad the first time through the book.
But when I read this one through a second time, I realized that there's a picture of Buffalo Fluffalo next to some really large buffalos (presumably the real 'adults') which means he's definitely an older brother.
That being said, the puffalo was so stinking cute. Anything he wants, he will get. I will die for him.
October 1, 2025
Read for my toddler's bedtime. Beautiful illustrations! This story followed Buffalo as he browse the prairie spring day. He ate, played , and napped. He wandered and when nighttime came, he found himself a place to sleep. Then a loud wailing cry woke him up. He was mad at first until he met the little creature who made that noise. At first he didn't like the little one but as time went on, he grew fond of it. Great story! And I just loved the illustrations!
Thank you Randomhousekids for the opportunity to read and review.
Thank you Randomhousekids for the opportunity to read and review.
November 4, 2025
This was a decent read, but there was a missed opportunity to give some more sentience to Puffalo. Buffalo Fluffalo's lack of opposition struck me as bizarre. He had just formed this community that was now threatened by a new force. Bess Kalb seemed to have played it a bit safe with his emotional arc. I wanted to see more of a push-and-pull between Buffalo Fluffalo and Puffalo, especially given the former's reluctance to open up. Why did he overcome his apprehension so easily? Puffalo was also a mute character, and this seemed like a weird choice. I wanted dialogue, some semblance of personality to tie to him. Instead he's more of a shadow and obligatorily cute presence, who doesn't do nearly enough to rattle his senior Buffalo.
The forest animals also make minimal appearances. The world felt grainy, when I think we had the chance here to show the new life Buffalo Fluffalo established for himself. Overall, I think I just would have directed the text in another creative direction, but there's no doubting the strength of the characters, and the overwhelming cuteness of Puffalo!!!
i need an emotional support puffalo NEOWWWWWW
The forest animals also make minimal appearances. The world felt grainy, when I think we had the chance here to show the new life Buffalo Fluffalo established for himself. Overall, I think I just would have directed the text in another creative direction, but there's no doubting the strength of the characters, and the overwhelming cuteness of Puffalo!!!
i need an emotional support puffalo NEOWWWWWW
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2025
Fun and cute with adorable illustrations.
July 23, 2025
PUFFALO MY SPIRIT ANIMAL
November 10, 2025
A great and adorable sequel. I love the rhyming, I love the plot and the pace. The illustrations are lovely.
November 24, 2025
An adorable sequel to Buffalo Fluffalo, but also does well as a stand alone. So sweet!
Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 259
#FirsttoCheckOut
Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 259
#FirsttoCheckOut
May 2, 2026
Got this from Dolly Parton. Much better than the original
The books is about the older sibling not liking the new baby at first but learning that babies are good and worthy of life even if they don’t fit a utilitarian purpose. Pro life.
The books is about the older sibling not liking the new baby at first but learning that babies are good and worthy of life even if they don’t fit a utilitarian purpose. Pro life.
March 7, 2026
Som say sequels aren’t good, those people haven’t read this book
December 29, 2025
(3.4) Fluffalo’s matured and learns to think more about the well-being of others.
December 26, 2025
This is the silly sequel to Buffalo Fluffalo. The young buffalo, named Fluffalo, has his life disrupted with the wailing arrival of a baby, named Puffalo! At first, he is alarmed by the “newly born squishily Buffalo Puff”, but he grows to love the little one. The rhyming text includes great vocabulary words, like racket, romp, glum, and stride. An adorable story that could help an older sibling learn about life with a new baby.
Kraan’s illustrations were made through a mix of hand-carved woodcuts, acrylic gouache, and Photoshop. The woodcuts create intricate details in the animals’ fur and add depth to the backgrounds. Fluffalo’s facial expressions throughout the story convey how babies can be stressful, silly, and sweet. The prairie setting is colored with a soft palette of tan, green, yellow, and brown. The prairie animal friend group - other buffalo, a ram, a crow, and a prairie dog - transforms the setting into a thriving ecosystem. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Kraan’s illustrations were made through a mix of hand-carved woodcuts, acrylic gouache, and Photoshop. The woodcuts create intricate details in the animals’ fur and add depth to the backgrounds. Fluffalo’s facial expressions throughout the story convey how babies can be stressful, silly, and sweet. The prairie setting is colored with a soft palette of tan, green, yellow, and brown. The prairie animal friend group - other buffalo, a ram, a crow, and a prairie dog - transforms the setting into a thriving ecosystem. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
September 20, 2025
Rhyming text and bright, sun-splashed illustrations with hand-carved woodcuts of the characters, scanned and colored in Photoshop, alongside a story showing a change of heart, make this a must as a read aloud. Buffalo Fluffalo is more than a little gruff and set in his ways. But he has a change of attitude when a small buffalo named Puffalo charms its way into his heart with more than his share of cuteness. Those big brown eyes and winsome looks are simply irresistible as the older buffalo takes his new charge under his wing, er, hooves. And while he has to make some accommodations and change his ways, it's worth it.
December 27, 2025
Remember Buffalo Fluffalo who was so grumpy and didn’t want or need friends? Well he changed his tune by the end of the story and we find him happily doing his normal day things like eating grass and playing with his friends. But when he lays down for his afternoon nap, he hears a terrible noise. It turns out to be a little buffalo and initially Fluffalo has no use or patience with the little Puffalo (the illustration of this little one is totally adorable). But as time goes on, just like in the prior book, Fluffalo realizes maybe this little one is not so bad and actually needs him to teach him buffalo things.
November 22, 2025
Oh, Buffalo Fluffalo! One morning his sleep is interrupted by a wailing. It doesn't take long to discover the source. A tiny, distressed Puffalo. Buffalo Fluffalo's friends see adorable. But Buffalo Fluffalo? He sees nuisance. But then Puff sneezes and captures Buffalo Fluffalo's heart. After that they are inseperable as Buffalo Fluffalo teaches Puff all things buffalo.
This is a sweet story! Our somewhat gruff Buffalo Fluffalo discovers there is a tiny chink in his heart for a teeny tiny Puffalo. Peek under the dust jacket. The cover is different and delightful.
This is a sweet story! Our somewhat gruff Buffalo Fluffalo discovers there is a tiny chink in his heart for a teeny tiny Puffalo. Peek under the dust jacket. The cover is different and delightful.
December 31, 2025
Such a great story about a buffalo who goes about his daily routine until he hears a noise...a wailing noise! He discovers Puffalo...a very cute baby buffalo who Fluffalo is a bit leery of. As time goes on, the 2 become inseparable.
A beautiful story filled with rhyme & fun language (great vocabulary words), great illustrations, set in the prairies & engages with the prairie ecosystem. It is a wonderful story for preschoolers who are having a younger sibling introduced into the family.
A great read!
A beautiful story filled with rhyme & fun language (great vocabulary words), great illustrations, set in the prairies & engages with the prairie ecosystem. It is a wonderful story for preschoolers who are having a younger sibling introduced into the family.
A great read!
Read
January 25, 2026"Puffalo doesn't need much, just time to learn and grow." I loved this quote from the book. Buffalo Fluffalo has a routine where he plays with friends, takes a nap, and goes for a walk. He goes to sleep but is woken by a whining sound. He meets Puffalo and doesn't like him very much at first. His friend crow tells him he just needs time. He ends up enjoying his time with Puffalo and teaches him all kinds of things. It was a beautiful, fun story. I think it would be a good story to read to a class. It's important for kids to understand that everyone is still learning and growing!
March 18, 2026
This was such a fun find for my preschooler triplets. While I am usually skeptical of new children's books, the introduction of Puffalo was actually quite sweet and held their attention better than most.
The rhyming is very clever and catchy which is a huge plus when you are reading it aloud for the fifth time in a row. Even though we are not fans of non Christian books, it is a lighthearted way to explore themes like sharing and patience and my trio was genuinely laughing at the Buffalo and Fluffalo antics.
The rhyming is very clever and catchy which is a huge plus when you are reading it aloud for the fifth time in a row. Even though we are not fans of non Christian books, it is a lighthearted way to explore themes like sharing and patience and my trio was genuinely laughing at the Buffalo and Fluffalo antics.
March 28, 2026
The sequel to the adorable Buffalo Fluffalo, where he meets a tiny calf named Puffalo. At first Puffalo is really annoying, just crying all the time. But when Buffalo Fluffalo realises he can make Puffalo laugh, he realises that they can have wonderful adventures together and he really loves Puffalo - and Puffalo loves him back. Again Erin Kraan's illustrations are gorgeous, you can't help loving these characters yourself. A great story for anyone with a new baby in the house, particularly an older sibling.
November 19, 2025
4.75★: LESS RHYMEY THAN THE ORIGINAL, BUT CUTER. If it were just me, I would’ve given it a 4.25, as it didn’t seem to have as much huffalo and enuffalo as the original. But the kids both gave it a 5. Puffalo is cute; the artwork is fabulous.
Published just over 7 weeks ago on 9/30/25, Buffalo Fluffalo and Puffalo currently has a 3.99-star average by 170 GR peeps. The original currently has a 4.22 by 1,510 peeps.
Published just over 7 weeks ago on 9/30/25, Buffalo Fluffalo and Puffalo currently has a 3.99-star average by 170 GR peeps. The original currently has a 4.22 by 1,510 peeps.
February 28, 2026
Annnnd, here we have it folks, another entry as a publishers favorite: "Part Two to a one hit wonder..." as they crank out a sequel, derivative and unimproved from the last except by adding: cute (in this case, Puffalo). What's next? Likely holidays, dentist visits, fill in the blank?
Pros: darling Puffalo (can I order a plushie of this thing?)
Cons: the imposed rhyming
Themes: buffalo, family, friendship, humor, stories that rhyme
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2025
Pros: darling Puffalo (can I order a plushie of this thing?)
Cons: the imposed rhyming
Themes: buffalo, family, friendship, humor, stories that rhyme
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2025
April 30, 2026
I found this book to be much more of an enjoyable reading out loud experience than the first Buffalo Fluffalo. My toddler also seemed to enjoy it. I mean who doesn't love baby bison.
This book picks up with Fluff enjoying his day but when trying to sleep, he's annoyingly kept awake by a loud noise. The noises turn out to be a distressed baby bison that Fluff can't help but feel sorry for. I mean who wouldn't. Overall, it's a cute little story touching on kindness, love, and caring for others.
This book picks up with Fluff enjoying his day but when trying to sleep, he's annoyingly kept awake by a loud noise. The noises turn out to be a distressed baby bison that Fluff can't help but feel sorry for. I mean who wouldn't. Overall, it's a cute little story touching on kindness, love, and caring for others.
October 6, 2025
The team behind Buffalo Fluffalo are back with a sequel book Buffalo Fluffalo and Puffalo. comfortable with his world and routines, Buffalo Fluffalo's life is upset a bit with the arrival of a young sibling Puffalo. As Puffalo learns the ways of Fluffalo, a strong bond is formed between the two. Erin Kraan's illustrations really capture the action and mood well.
October 10, 2025
Another Buffalo Fluffalo story. Fluff is all grown up and has a beloved routine that is interrupted by the wailing of a...buffalo calf. Fluff is not pleased with this turn of events at all. With the help of the other prairie animals, Fluff eventually takes the tiny Puff under his hoof and teaches him the ropes of life.
Cute. Could be fun in storytime.
Cute. Could be fun in storytime.
March 22, 2026
Even cuter illustrations than the first book. Our buffalo friend has learned some lessons and applies them to meeting a baby buffalo - excuse me, a puffalo - and befriending it and accepting it. It's like the buffalo got a kitten basically. I wish the puffalo was a bit more of a character rather than a cute sentient puffball but the message works anyway.
April 26, 2026
Our April Imagination Library book (reading it on time, for once).
A Buffalo Fluffalo sequel! Buffalo Fluffalo now has to deal with an annoying Puffalo who gets in the way and cries buuuuut then he realizes Puff is very cute, and it's fun to teach a younger sibling how to do new things- good lesson for dealing with younger siblings/friends.
A Buffalo Fluffalo sequel! Buffalo Fluffalo now has to deal with an annoying Puffalo who gets in the way and cries buuuuut then he realizes Puff is very cute, and it's fun to teach a younger sibling how to do new things- good lesson for dealing with younger siblings/friends.
October 17, 2025
I squealed out loud when I saw this at my library. That is not normally a sound I make but I was ecstatic to find this book. It is adorable. My 8-year old loved listen to it and so did the first grade classroom I read it to. I WANT MORE FLUFFALO!
November 1, 2025
sequel to Buffalo fluffalo, kids love the silly rhyming text. this would make a great gift for a child getting a new brother or sister. puffalo wails and is stinky but eventually Buffalo decides he likes him and helps teach him things.
November 4, 2025
Adorable. Buffalo Fluffalo is used to moseying around doing what he wants at his own pace. One day he finds Puffalo, a buffalo baby. Grouchy Buffalo Fluffalo soon finds this irritating creature quite remarkable indeed.
November 6, 2025
Same great art and rhymes as before, but this book is dull. Nothing really happens. where did Puffalo come from? The summary said Fluffalo would have to deal with change, but he didn’t, he just included Puffalo in his regular routine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews