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Pine & Boof #1

Pine & Boof: The Lucky Leaf

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Frog and Toad meets Elephant & Piggie in the first installment of a humorous and heartfelt new picture book series about the adventures of Boof the bear and Pine the porcupine, from the acclaimed author-illustrator of There's a Giraffe in My Soup and I Am Not a Chair!

One blustery day, Boof the bear's lucky red leaf gets swept away by the wind. Fortunately for him, Pine the porcupine just happens to walk by with his lucky compass-and the two set off on an adventure to find the lost leaf, only to discover true friendship in the process.

In a tale both silly and sweet, Pine & Boof: The Lucky Leaf tells the story of an unlikely friendship through highly original characters and vibrant illustrations that are impossible not to love.

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 2017

119 people want to read

About the author

Ross Burach

53 books77 followers

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5 stars
166 (32%)
4 stars
234 (45%)
3 stars
99 (19%)
2 stars
16 (3%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
Profile Image for Abigail.
8,043 reviews268 followers
November 13, 2018
A timid bear with a penchant for collecting things, Boof was terribly attached to his lucky red leaf. An over-eager porcupine with an unshakable belief in his own navigation skills, Pine was always on the watch for adventure. When Boof's leaf blew away, Pine stepped in and offered to help him track it down, but the two companions weren't expecting to have quite as exciting a time as they did...

The first of a prospective picture-book series about Pine and Boof, Pine & Book: The Lucky Leaf is a sweet tale of finding friendship when you aren't looking for it, and pairs an engaging story with colorful, appealing artwork. The series of mishaps that the two companions have, as they chase after the flyaway leaf, will keep young reader/listeners entertained, and the conclusion will satisfy their desire for a happy ending. Recommended to Ross Burach fans, and to anyone looking for fun new friendship stories.
Profile Image for Ms. B.
3,749 reviews82 followers
July 26, 2019
Sometimes you have to lose something (lucky leaf) to gain something (a new friend).
Profile Image for Katie.
825 reviews4 followers
December 26, 2020
Boof is a bear who likes to draw faces on things. He drew a face on a red leaf, loses it, and listens to a porcupine friend who suggests terrible ideas for getting it back. The plot is silly, and I didn't appreciate the two instances where the animals put bikini tops and bottoms that they found on their heads. My son didn't ask me about that, but I felt awkward. The book's plot and pictures came across to me as sort of Spongbob-esque. Even though the book was meant to be funny, my son didn't laugh at it.
Profile Image for Sandy.
2,818 reviews71 followers
March 29, 2018
Such a fun book about friendship. Boof’s best friend is a red leaf. Now, Boof is a bear and red leaf is a red leaf. They do everything together until one day, red leaf blows away Boof runs off to get him as he floats away in the sky. Pine (the porcupine) literally runs into Boof who is now sitting down in the forest. Boof was really upset and he had sat down as he didn’t know where to look for his best friend. After Boof explains what happened (with tears) to Pine, Pine tells Boof that he will help him locate his friend because he is very good at finding things and he also has a lucky compass. The pictures are comical and so is Pine as he is smart little guy but also because he really has no idea where to look next. With Boof onboard, the two of them start to look for red leaf. Be ready to laugh as the two of them get into some sticky situations hunting down red leaf as Pine is determined to help connect Boof with red leaf again, no matter what happens.

I liked how Pine immediately jumps in to help Boof and he stops at nothing to help his new friend. Boof’s facial expressions look so hopeless as he looks for red leaf and then at the end, everyone is all smiles. I really enjoyed the illustrations, I think they sold the book for me. They were hilarious, so extreme for some of the situations they were in. The second to last illustration of Pine and Boof with the camp fire was really funny if you look at their heads. This is a fun book, I think.
Profile Image for Carrie.
400 reviews2 followers
December 29, 2017
Pine and Boof is a great introduction to adventure, survival, and friendship themes for the preschool to early elementary readers. There are scary scenes, but they aren't too frightening for the little guys. The illustrations are bold and many of the pages are thoughtfully filled with text the kids can participate in (SNAP! GO! AHHHHHHH! UH-OH!) saying. This is a book that I imagine kids wanting to read repeatedly.
Profile Image for The Voracious Bibliophile.
323 reviews23 followers
December 11, 2017
I think we may have found the next Frog and Toad of children's literature. Pine and Boof are clueless at times but they're there for each other no matter what. I dare you to read this without your heart melting. I hope we get to read many more Pine and Boof adventures in the future.
Profile Image for Deb.
1,601 reviews21 followers
July 7, 2020
I put this one on hold because I've enjoyed other books by Ross Burach. Alena and I enjoyed this one.
Profile Image for Bethany.
Author 22 books98 followers
October 5, 2017
In PINE & BOOF, Boof loves finding treasures that campers leave behind. His favorite is his lucky leaf that he does everything with. One day, the leaf gets caught in the wind and is taken away from Boof.

Pine loves adventures and is on the search for one when he runs into Boof. He sees that Boof is upset and volunteers to help him find his leaf. After all, Pine has a lucky compass that will help them. In the end, they can't get Boof's leaf back, but he realizes he's found something better: a new friend that he'll never lose.

The illustrations were cute and the story has some humor in it that makes it flow better. It teaches that belongings aren't as fun as finding a friend. Pine and Boof are just beginning their friendship and I look forward to more adventures from them.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this story to children who love animals. It also is a good read because it emphasizes the value of friendship, which every child should learn.
Profile Image for Diane.
7,294 reviews
January 6, 2018
Boof the bear is timid and loves to collects things. One day, he collects a red leaf and they do everything together. Until the leaf blows away. Enter Pine the porcupine, who loves adventure. He is up to the challenge of helping Boof find his leaf. His plan? Look Everywhere! And when they spot the leaf, the chase is on. Mistakes are made along the way, but they keep trying.

This hilarious journey of adventure and friendship is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Profile Image for Jesse.
2,796 reviews
December 19, 2017
I love Pine and Boof! They are so adorable and never give up, which I adore. Also, the tongue-in-cheek humor and adult jokes in the illustrations are marvelous. I have a new favorite author to watch!
Profile Image for Sarah.
759 reviews17 followers
July 1, 2019

What a cute, funny, charming, and heartwarming surprise of a book! The illustrations are adorable and cute!
Profile Image for Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*.
6,048 reviews219 followers
December 19, 2017
Burach, Ross Pine and Boof: The Lucky Leaf PICTURE BOOK HarperCollins, 2017. $17.99 Content: G.

Boof is a bear who likes to collect things and give them names and faces. He finds a pretty read leaf and it becomes his best friend until one day when the wind blows the leaf away. While looking for his leaf he comes across a porcupine named Pine who helps Boof look for his friend the leaf. Boof and Pine become friends as they go through many adventures looking for the leaf and Boof realizes what a true friend is like.

This is a cute story with endearing characters. I liked the illustrations except for Boof, he is just blah looking and the other illustrations in the book are adorable. If you are looking for a friendship themed picture book this is a good pick.

EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
Profile Image for Amanda.
3,890 reviews43 followers
June 23, 2020
I read the Pine & Boof books out of order so it's been a treat to read this and see how Boof met Pine. The loss of the leaf! What longing it engenders! The luck of spotting it again and finding someone who will help you along the way! What a journey! What a quest! These two make me so happy.

I'll say it again, I WANT a Boof stuffed animal! He just looks sooo cuddly! A set of Pine and Boof stuffed animals sold with the books would be BRILLIANT! Boof's lucky leaf may have been lucky in more than one way; he had great adventures (in his own mind) with it in the beginning of the book, and then his Lucky Leaf brought him to a new friend, Pine. The fact that they create badges for their adventures is hilarious and wonderful. Their mistakes and misunderstanding along the way will amuse adults and for kids who are old enough to be in the know, they will feel quite smart to get it.

Yeah Pine & Boof. More adventures and more friendship please!
Profile Image for Erik This Kid Reviews Books.
836 reviews69 followers
December 30, 2018
There were several occasions where I laughed out loud at this book. The first being introduced to Boof the bear who is afraid of bears – and practically everything else except for the leaf he befriends. Boof and Pine’s (the porcupine) adventure is like the three stooges rolled together with the Marx Brothers. There is also a cute subplot of Boof and Pine becoming friends. The illustrations are just enough to compliment the story, but the text is what drives it. Beginning and early readers will navigate the story well and will want to read it over and over. For lovers of Elephant & Piggie, this is your kind of book! I for one think Boof and Pine’s adventures should continue. *Please note I received a free review copy of this book
Profile Image for Debbie.
1,022 reviews11 followers
February 6, 2018
“There are two things you should know about Boof the bear.” (What a great way to get the reader to turn the page? I love the beginning.) I won’t spoil this by telling you the answer, but what I can tell you is that Boof loves to collect things. One day he finds a pretty red leaf that soon becomes his best friend, until one day when the wind blows his friend away. While looking for his red leaf he comes across a porcupine named Pine who decides to help Boof look for his leaf.

http://picturebooksleuth.com for the whole review.
Profile Image for Pam.
10k reviews57 followers
December 14, 2017
New series in between Frog & Toad and Elephant & Piggie for beginning readers.
Boof has a lucky leaf as his only friend. One day, a huge wind blows it away. He meets Pine and the two set out to get back the leaf.
They don't get the lucky red leaf back but do become friends.
The last page revisits some of the actions from their adventure and shares how they apologized or made things right with other animals.
Profile Image for Amy Oberts.
473 reviews
August 7, 2018
I simply *cannot wait* to share this book aloud with families during an upcoming library program! Although the text is simplistic, the characters' voices are distinct and well-developed. The bold illustrations in muted colors complement the story, and the resolution to the problem Boof faces is both realistic and satisfying. A second installment, "Pine & Boof: Blast Off!" is set to be published in November, 2018.
Profile Image for Terry.
3,789 reviews53 followers
Read
June 26, 2020
Young children will likely enjoy the humor in the story, complete with the underwear "jokes." Pine is a Mr. Magoo-type creature. The text-to-image balance is perfect for this audience. The illustrations leave plenty "blank" space for the story to shine through. Despite the darker shades, the characters have a happiness about them.

See the full review.
Profile Image for Kathryn C..
10 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2025
Adorable story about friendship. Boof the bear is scared of bears and he loves to collect things. He finds a lucky red leaf that becomes his best friend until one day the leaf blows away. Pine tries to help him find it but Boof ends up finding something even better. This is a silly and sweat story that will be sure to win over kids hearts and have them chuckling. Would be fun for a story time.
Profile Image for Suzie Q.
588 reviews
January 1, 2019
Is it wrong to have your 1st book challenge of 2019 filled by a short kids book that taught friendship and adventure in cute pictures and accompanying story? Well, it was a fun read with my 9 yr old daughter who is basically beyond this book too. She is quickly outgrowing the need for me as well, so it was nice to have a few minutes of togetherness in this shared read!
Profile Image for Kimberly.
495 reviews12 followers
March 16, 2020
Such a cute camping story. Can be used for Autumn (leaf), vacation (camping), Summer camp/ girl scout cookie season. National Girl Scout Cookie Day was the day I read this story.

Can be paired with popular book series Frog and Toad as this is also a series.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
200 reviews
March 26, 2021
The whimsical approach to these two characters, their friendship, feelings and adventures are spot on for five year olds. If you like any other Ross Burach books, definitely check this (and the second one!) out. We cannot wait until the third book comes out!
Profile Image for Anthony.
7,331 reviews33 followers
November 3, 2022
When Boof the bear loses his lucky red leaf on a windy day, he just happens to meet Pine the porcupine who loves adventures, and offers to help Boof track down his lost lucky red leaf. So begins an adventure, and the making of a lasting friendship.
Profile Image for Zoe Roberts.
41 reviews
February 25, 2023
I think that this book would be great up to grade 3. This book has very cute illustrations, and a fun and adventurous story line. This book would be great if you wanted to do a fun activity with compasses and like a scavenger hunt with a theme surrounding this book and adventure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews

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