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Otis & Peanut #1
Otis & Peanut
A quirky and iconic new series of stories about friendship and belonging, in the style of Frog and Toad
A long-haired guinea pig and a naked mole rat may seem like unlikely friends, but Otis and Peanut are a perfect pair!
In three stories told in graphic-novel form, Otis and Peanut explore themes of loss, fear of change, and cooperation, while demonstrating what it means to be a supportive and caring friend. In “The Haircut,” Otis worries about getting a haircut because he’s afraid he’ll look so different that he’ll no longer be himself. In “The Swing,” Peanut helps Otis come to terms with missing a beloved friend. And in “The House,” Otis struggles to make his house a home but succeeds with Peanut’s help.
Otis and Peanut are brought to life with delightful comic illustrations from Kelly Collier, and author Naseem Hrab’s humor and sensitivity shines through in each tale of true friendship. The author-illustrator team of How to Party Like a Snail serves up laugh-out-loud moments, profound life lessons, and a new iconic literary duo that kids will love.
A long-haired guinea pig and a naked mole rat may seem like unlikely friends, but Otis and Peanut are a perfect pair!
In three stories told in graphic-novel form, Otis and Peanut explore themes of loss, fear of change, and cooperation, while demonstrating what it means to be a supportive and caring friend. In “The Haircut,” Otis worries about getting a haircut because he’s afraid he’ll look so different that he’ll no longer be himself. In “The Swing,” Peanut helps Otis come to terms with missing a beloved friend. And in “The House,” Otis struggles to make his house a home but succeeds with Peanut’s help.
Otis and Peanut are brought to life with delightful comic illustrations from Kelly Collier, and author Naseem Hrab’s humor and sensitivity shines through in each tale of true friendship. The author-illustrator team of How to Party Like a Snail serves up laugh-out-loud moments, profound life lessons, and a new iconic literary duo that kids will love.
80 pages, Hardcover
Published April 18, 2023
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 7, 2023
In a Nutshell: A collection of three stories featuring two friends. Written in graphic novel format for early readers. Simple storyline, nice themes.
Otis, a long-haired guinea pig, and Peanut, a naked mole rat, are the best of friends. Through three stories, we get to see their bond with each other, and also explore some interesting themes.
Story 1: The Haircut- Highlights the fear of change and how helpful it is to have someone motivate you towards a new step.
Story 2: The Swing- Talks of feeling low when you are missing someone, and how it is okay to feel sad and happy at the same time.
Story 3: The House- Indicates what can make a house a home.
The first story was the best one for me in terms of execution (the right mixture of fun plus friendship), and the second was the best in terms of theme. I liked how the second story only mentions someone named ‘Pearl’ whom Otis misses, but doesn’t indicate who Pearl is or how she is missing. The moral could thus be extended to help with something as grave as the death of a loved one or something relatively more common as a close friend’s moving to another place.
There’s a recipe for “Peanut’s Perfect Baked Potatoes for Two” at the end of the book, along with clear instructions of where to involve an adult in the cooking process. Appreciate that!
The art style is quirky but I guess it works for the age group. There aren’t too many colours in use, keeping the palette as simple as the storyline. The graphic novel structure is excellently used, with the flow of panels and speech bubbles being easy and comfortable for little readers.
However, a few points could have elevated this book to a memorable one:
• There’s no introduction to Otis and Peanut. Given that this is the first book of a planned series, it would have been good for the book to start with a brief intro of the two main characters. Heck, I didn’t even understand what animals they were until I reread the blurb before writing this review.
• The stories are too varied in theme. While they attempt to balance seriousness and humour, the lack of a connecting thread makes the flow seem very random.
• The third story, while having some humorous scenes, feels very staid in comparison with the first two.
The book is officially aimed at little readers aged 6-8, but I honestly think that this is too simplistic for most eight-year-olds. It will work much better with a younger target segment, say 4-6 year olds.
All in all, it’s not a bad book, but it didn’t satisfy my heart the way children’s books usually do. Recommended to early readers who love comic-style stories with a strong theme of friendship.
3.5 stars, rounding up.
My thanks to Owlkids Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “Otis & Peanut”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
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Otis, a long-haired guinea pig, and Peanut, a naked mole rat, are the best of friends. Through three stories, we get to see their bond with each other, and also explore some interesting themes.
Story 1: The Haircut- Highlights the fear of change and how helpful it is to have someone motivate you towards a new step.
Story 2: The Swing- Talks of feeling low when you are missing someone, and how it is okay to feel sad and happy at the same time.
Story 3: The House- Indicates what can make a house a home.
The first story was the best one for me in terms of execution (the right mixture of fun plus friendship), and the second was the best in terms of theme. I liked how the second story only mentions someone named ‘Pearl’ whom Otis misses, but doesn’t indicate who Pearl is or how she is missing. The moral could thus be extended to help with something as grave as the death of a loved one or something relatively more common as a close friend’s moving to another place.
There’s a recipe for “Peanut’s Perfect Baked Potatoes for Two” at the end of the book, along with clear instructions of where to involve an adult in the cooking process. Appreciate that!
The art style is quirky but I guess it works for the age group. There aren’t too many colours in use, keeping the palette as simple as the storyline. The graphic novel structure is excellently used, with the flow of panels and speech bubbles being easy and comfortable for little readers.
However, a few points could have elevated this book to a memorable one:
• There’s no introduction to Otis and Peanut. Given that this is the first book of a planned series, it would have been good for the book to start with a brief intro of the two main characters. Heck, I didn’t even understand what animals they were until I reread the blurb before writing this review.
• The stories are too varied in theme. While they attempt to balance seriousness and humour, the lack of a connecting thread makes the flow seem very random.
• The third story, while having some humorous scenes, feels very staid in comparison with the first two.
The book is officially aimed at little readers aged 6-8, but I honestly think that this is too simplistic for most eight-year-olds. It will work much better with a younger target segment, say 4-6 year olds.
All in all, it’s not a bad book, but it didn’t satisfy my heart the way children’s books usually do. Recommended to early readers who love comic-style stories with a strong theme of friendship.
3.5 stars, rounding up.
My thanks to Owlkids Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “Otis & Peanut”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
August 26, 2023
This graphic novel is sure to delight young readers with its simple, yet powerful, messages about friendship and how much better life can be with a good friend by your side. Otis is a long-haired guinea pig, Peanut is naked mole rat and they are the best of friends. They are there for each other when they are afraid, feeling sad or going through big life changes. No matter what the situation is, Otis and Peanut are there to help the other out and learn lessons that will last a lifetime. The animal characters are utterly relatable and loveable and the situations they go through mirror real life situations readers might be going through, too. The whimsical drawings and color schemes invite readers into the pages to experience life alongside the characters. Readers who enjoy Elephant & Piggie by Mo Willems will find another pair of friends to capture their heart.
April 20, 2023
4/12/2023 Oh, snap, there's a recipe at the end! 4.5 stars, and full review tk (hopefully with recipe photos) at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
4/20/2023 This heartwarming children's book is being marketed as a graphic novel but feels very much like a picture book to me. That said, both formats are good? Especially when the story and art are both so strong.
Our title characters are best friends. Otis is a long-haired guinea pig while Peanut is a naked mole rat. Over the course of the three stories collected here, the besties face a number of surprisingly complex challenges together, and deal with them sensitively and with a load of heart. Best of all, the situations they face are not uncommon for any young reader, and help set a template for how to grapple with each circumstance.
In the first and perhaps silliest of the stories, Otis needs a haircut but is afraid it will hurt. Peanut would like a haircut but doesn't have any hair, so the two decide that a wardrobe update might help Peanut with a well-needed change.
In the second story, The Swing, our friends talk about how much Otis misses Pearl. The circumstances of why Pearl is gone are never discussed, but the friends talk about how hard it is to miss someone while also having happy memories of them.
The last story, The House, is a thoughtful look at what makes a house a home. And then be still my heart: a recipe for baked potatoes!
Never one to shy away from a new recipe, I decided to try out the very kid-friendly recipe for Peanut's Perfect Baked Potatoes For Two. It's simple, but I did have to consult with the Bon Appetit website to make sure I was doing it right when the potatoes still felt firm after forty-five minutes of baking. One tip for those doing this at home: at the point where the recipe asks you to gently squeeze the potatoes for doneness, they should yield softly to the pressure. Let them keep baking at 350F in ten minute increments until that happens! I used a pair of tongs for this so as not to singe my fingers, and to take the potatoes out of and replace them in the oven.
I was also very generous with the olive oil and garlic salt when first coating the potatoes for baking. As a precautionary measure, I decided to place some foil under the baking potatoes on the rack, which definitely caught a bit of the oil from dripping onto the bottom of the stove. My generosity with the oil and salt also made it so I didn't have to add any extra salt at the end, after fluffing up the delicious insides. Just butter (and, as a personal preference, fresh cracked black pepper) made this a perfect meal for a potato-lover like myself. My husband added sour cream to his. My kids did not partake, tho two of them took almost as great a pleasure from helping me poke the potatoes as I did from eating the final result (pictures at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.)
Naseem Hrab writes the recipe with as much charm and verve as the rest of this thoughtful book, that goes where few general interest picture books tend to venture. Her words are accompanied by Kelly Collier's engaging, expressive art and bold, minimalist color palette. Ms Collier's illustrations are perfect for the story, conveying so much emotion and context without ever overwhelming the pages. This was a wholly satisfying book that invites kid and caretaker engagement with the content, while also providing a fun, if not outright nourishing activity for afterwards. Recommended, especially when dealing with similar complicated situations in a kid's life.
Otis & Peanut by Naseem Hrab & Kelly Collier was published April 18 2023 by Owlkids and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
4/20/2023 This heartwarming children's book is being marketed as a graphic novel but feels very much like a picture book to me. That said, both formats are good? Especially when the story and art are both so strong.
Our title characters are best friends. Otis is a long-haired guinea pig while Peanut is a naked mole rat. Over the course of the three stories collected here, the besties face a number of surprisingly complex challenges together, and deal with them sensitively and with a load of heart. Best of all, the situations they face are not uncommon for any young reader, and help set a template for how to grapple with each circumstance.
In the first and perhaps silliest of the stories, Otis needs a haircut but is afraid it will hurt. Peanut would like a haircut but doesn't have any hair, so the two decide that a wardrobe update might help Peanut with a well-needed change.
In the second story, The Swing, our friends talk about how much Otis misses Pearl. The circumstances of why Pearl is gone are never discussed, but the friends talk about how hard it is to miss someone while also having happy memories of them.
The last story, The House, is a thoughtful look at what makes a house a home. And then be still my heart: a recipe for baked potatoes!
Never one to shy away from a new recipe, I decided to try out the very kid-friendly recipe for Peanut's Perfect Baked Potatoes For Two. It's simple, but I did have to consult with the Bon Appetit website to make sure I was doing it right when the potatoes still felt firm after forty-five minutes of baking. One tip for those doing this at home: at the point where the recipe asks you to gently squeeze the potatoes for doneness, they should yield softly to the pressure. Let them keep baking at 350F in ten minute increments until that happens! I used a pair of tongs for this so as not to singe my fingers, and to take the potatoes out of and replace them in the oven.
I was also very generous with the olive oil and garlic salt when first coating the potatoes for baking. As a precautionary measure, I decided to place some foil under the baking potatoes on the rack, which definitely caught a bit of the oil from dripping onto the bottom of the stove. My generosity with the oil and salt also made it so I didn't have to add any extra salt at the end, after fluffing up the delicious insides. Just butter (and, as a personal preference, fresh cracked black pepper) made this a perfect meal for a potato-lover like myself. My husband added sour cream to his. My kids did not partake, tho two of them took almost as great a pleasure from helping me poke the potatoes as I did from eating the final result (pictures at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.)
Naseem Hrab writes the recipe with as much charm and verve as the rest of this thoughtful book, that goes where few general interest picture books tend to venture. Her words are accompanied by Kelly Collier's engaging, expressive art and bold, minimalist color palette. Ms Collier's illustrations are perfect for the story, conveying so much emotion and context without ever overwhelming the pages. This was a wholly satisfying book that invites kid and caretaker engagement with the content, while also providing a fun, if not outright nourishing activity for afterwards. Recommended, especially when dealing with similar complicated situations in a kid's life.
Otis & Peanut by Naseem Hrab & Kelly Collier was published April 18 2023 by Owlkids and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
April 21, 2023
This book is super cute and 3 best friends stories! Otis and Peanut get a haircut, swing on the swings, and decorate the house. It has some nice underlying messages about remembering friends not with us and embracing change.
This book is in a comic type style which is great for younger readers and keeps kids interested. My second grader loved this book and it was a great level for her since she read the whole book without and difficulty. The best part was that she stayed interested from beginning to end.
The pictures are simple, but have that yellow and bright feel. It is just a happy book overall and teaches deeper meanings with ease.
Thank you to Owlkids and Netgalley for providing me a copy of the ARC for my honest review.
This book is in a comic type style which is great for younger readers and keeps kids interested. My second grader loved this book and it was a great level for her since she read the whole book without and difficulty. The best part was that she stayed interested from beginning to end.
The pictures are simple, but have that yellow and bright feel. It is just a happy book overall and teaches deeper meanings with ease.
Thank you to Owlkids and Netgalley for providing me a copy of the ARC for my honest review.
August 4, 2023
A collection of 3 stories this book is the perfect amounts cute and funny. Otis and peanut the perfect foils for each other and kids will want to hear these stories over and over again. The text is short and simple and each story is the perfect bite sized length. Sure to be enjoyed by children of all ages.
June 10, 2023
Otis is a long-haired guinea pig, and his best friend is a naked mole rat named Peanut. They are the best of friends, and they are there for each other through life’s adventures.
First, Otis is thinking about getting a haircut. But he’s worried that it will change him too much. So Peanut offers to get the haircut instead. Only, he doesn’t have much hair. So he tries to change himself by buying a new hat, and then a new coat, and then some new shoes. He feels different but still himself. And as Otis sees his friend change but not change as he wears his new clothes, he’s less worried about the haircut and decides to give it a shot.
Later, Peanut goes to the park and finds Otis on the swing. He’s trying to go higher. Peanut sits next to him and finds out that his friend is sad. Otis is missing another friend. As they talk, Peanut assures him that it’s okay to miss Pearl, and he tries to help Otis swing higher. Otis still misses his friend, but he feels better having talked to his friend.
And when Otis is setting up his new house, painting the door a favorite color and planting lilacs just outside, Peanut comes by. And when Otis says that he wants his new house to feel like home but he feels like something is missing, Peanut goes through the whole house with him to try to figure out what he’s missing. Otis finally figures out what is missing, and only his friend Peanut can help make his house feel like a home.
Otis & Peanut is a collection of sweet stories about friendship. With charming illustrations and a relationship without judgment, these characters show what it means to be a good friend. They demonstrate empathy, give a safe space for sharing feelings, and find happiness in each other’s joy. Author Naseem Hrab and illustrator Kelly Collier have teamed up to create a heart-warming book about the importance of friendship, fun, feelings, and a really good hat.
Egalleys for Otis & Peanut were provided by Owlkids through Edelweiss, with many thanks.
First, Otis is thinking about getting a haircut. But he’s worried that it will change him too much. So Peanut offers to get the haircut instead. Only, he doesn’t have much hair. So he tries to change himself by buying a new hat, and then a new coat, and then some new shoes. He feels different but still himself. And as Otis sees his friend change but not change as he wears his new clothes, he’s less worried about the haircut and decides to give it a shot.
Later, Peanut goes to the park and finds Otis on the swing. He’s trying to go higher. Peanut sits next to him and finds out that his friend is sad. Otis is missing another friend. As they talk, Peanut assures him that it’s okay to miss Pearl, and he tries to help Otis swing higher. Otis still misses his friend, but he feels better having talked to his friend.
And when Otis is setting up his new house, painting the door a favorite color and planting lilacs just outside, Peanut comes by. And when Otis says that he wants his new house to feel like home but he feels like something is missing, Peanut goes through the whole house with him to try to figure out what he’s missing. Otis finally figures out what is missing, and only his friend Peanut can help make his house feel like a home.
Otis & Peanut is a collection of sweet stories about friendship. With charming illustrations and a relationship without judgment, these characters show what it means to be a good friend. They demonstrate empathy, give a safe space for sharing feelings, and find happiness in each other’s joy. Author Naseem Hrab and illustrator Kelly Collier have teamed up to create a heart-warming book about the importance of friendship, fun, feelings, and a really good hat.
Egalleys for Otis & Peanut were provided by Owlkids through Edelweiss, with many thanks.
December 20, 2023
Otis and Peanut are very good friends and enjoy spending time with each other. They also talk about their feelings with each other, which is a sign of a great friendship. This is a collection of three stories where the two have experiences together.
In "The Haircut," the two walk to the barbershop because Otis wanted to get a haircut. Yet, when they get there, Otis is unsure and afraid that he will feel different. Peanut says that he is up for a change and thinks about getting some new clothes. Together, they go shopping and Otis finally finds the courage to get a haircut.
With "The Swing," Otis is sad because he misses Pearl and doesn't know how to feel about it. Peanut listens to him and expresses that it's okay to be sad and miss Pearl, even when you feel happy about something else.
And, finally, "The House," where Otis is painting his front door of his home green and Peanut suggests painting it yellow because he likes yellow better. He also says that Otis should plant potatoes instead of lilacs because he likes potatoes more. Otis expresses that he knows that Peanut loves these things, but he is trying to make his home suitable for him, which Peanut understands.
Overall, this is a book that is a gentle introduction to establishing boundaries with friends while also listening and supporting them. It's a book that I think could lead to great discussion between the young reader and their grown-up.
The grown-up may ask questions about who are the other characters mentioned and what may have happened to Pearl because it's never explained, but the young reader may just accept the story as is.
In "The Haircut," the two walk to the barbershop because Otis wanted to get a haircut. Yet, when they get there, Otis is unsure and afraid that he will feel different. Peanut says that he is up for a change and thinks about getting some new clothes. Together, they go shopping and Otis finally finds the courage to get a haircut.
With "The Swing," Otis is sad because he misses Pearl and doesn't know how to feel about it. Peanut listens to him and expresses that it's okay to be sad and miss Pearl, even when you feel happy about something else.
And, finally, "The House," where Otis is painting his front door of his home green and Peanut suggests painting it yellow because he likes yellow better. He also says that Otis should plant potatoes instead of lilacs because he likes potatoes more. Otis expresses that he knows that Peanut loves these things, but he is trying to make his home suitable for him, which Peanut understands.
Overall, this is a book that is a gentle introduction to establishing boundaries with friends while also listening and supporting them. It's a book that I think could lead to great discussion between the young reader and their grown-up.
The grown-up may ask questions about who are the other characters mentioned and what may have happened to Pearl because it's never explained, but the young reader may just accept the story as is.
August 29, 2023
This is a beginning chapter book written in a graphic novel-ish format (panels and speech bubbles but also just words written in the panel). Peanut is a naked mole rat and Otis is a long-haired guinea pig. Though I'm not sure I would have known that if I hadn't read it... The book has three different stories. The first is about Otis getting a hair cut. He is a bit afraid of the change. Peanut helps - purchasing a new hat, a new coat, and some new shoes thus also changing. This helps turn Otis's haircut into a more positive experience.
The second story is The Swing and it is about Otis missing someone named Pearl. We don't really know who Pearl is - or what happened to her. But the third story sheds a little bit of light on that. Otis is painting his front door when Peanut stops by. It seems that Otis has recently moved into the neighborhood and is trying to make his house into a home. So maybe Pearl is someone that was a friend before he moved.
The stories are positive friendship stories about the way that friends listen. Peanut is a good listener and also a very typical kid. "You should paint your door yellow because it is MY favorite color! You should plant potatoes because I LOVE potatoes!" But Otis is OK with that. And his house beomces a home because Peanut is there to share life with him.
My favorite line was Peanut's "I love shoes! They always give you two!" And Peanut's baked potato recipe at the end of the book. Certainly a worthwhile addition to hand to kids that love Narwhal & Jelly or who have graduated from Gerald and Piggie.
The second story is The Swing and it is about Otis missing someone named Pearl. We don't really know who Pearl is - or what happened to her. But the third story sheds a little bit of light on that. Otis is painting his front door when Peanut stops by. It seems that Otis has recently moved into the neighborhood and is trying to make his house into a home. So maybe Pearl is someone that was a friend before he moved.
The stories are positive friendship stories about the way that friends listen. Peanut is a good listener and also a very typical kid. "You should paint your door yellow because it is MY favorite color! You should plant potatoes because I LOVE potatoes!" But Otis is OK with that. And his house beomces a home because Peanut is there to share life with him.
My favorite line was Peanut's "I love shoes! They always give you two!" And Peanut's baked potato recipe at the end of the book. Certainly a worthwhile addition to hand to kids that love Narwhal & Jelly or who have graduated from Gerald and Piggie.
April 1, 2023
The first of a series about the friendship between Otis (a long-haired guinea pig) and Peanut (a naked mole rat).
Told in three chapters/stories, Otis frets over getting a haircut ("Will others recognize me?"), the loss of his friend Pearl (how much he misses her), and about settling into his new house (trying to make it into his "home") to his friend Peanut.
Like other beginning chapter book/reader friendships such as Frog & Toad, George & Martha, and Elephant & Piggie, Peanut listens reflectively to Otis and offers many options and plenty of reassurance to his friend. Hrab infuses humor and keeps everything light. I like the spin on the haircut - afraid people won't recognize him. Also there is no mention of why Pearl is gone - she could have moved or died - so is useful for many occasions. And the many suggestions Peanut gives leads into a recipe for baked potatoes for two in the back. Nicely timed and executed. Note: A version of "The Haircut" appeared in the May 2021 issue of Chirp Magazine.
Digital (?) artwork by Kelly Collier is clean and uncluttered, simple and to the point. Just the right pairing for this spare text. The frames are laid out in a logical way on the page, all predictable order for beginning readers.
I look forward to more gentle stories for these two from this duo.
Highly Recommended for PreSchool-grade 2.
Told in three chapters/stories, Otis frets over getting a haircut ("Will others recognize me?"), the loss of his friend Pearl (how much he misses her), and about settling into his new house (trying to make it into his "home") to his friend Peanut.
Like other beginning chapter book/reader friendships such as Frog & Toad, George & Martha, and Elephant & Piggie, Peanut listens reflectively to Otis and offers many options and plenty of reassurance to his friend. Hrab infuses humor and keeps everything light. I like the spin on the haircut - afraid people won't recognize him. Also there is no mention of why Pearl is gone - she could have moved or died - so is useful for many occasions. And the many suggestions Peanut gives leads into a recipe for baked potatoes for two in the back. Nicely timed and executed. Note: A version of "The Haircut" appeared in the May 2021 issue of Chirp Magazine.
Digital (?) artwork by Kelly Collier is clean and uncluttered, simple and to the point. Just the right pairing for this spare text. The frames are laid out in a logical way on the page, all predictable order for beginning readers.
I look forward to more gentle stories for these two from this duo.
Highly Recommended for PreSchool-grade 2.
February 8, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review the ARC of Otis and Peanut.
This is an early reader comic about best friends Otis and Peanut. I didn't expect this short comic book to pack such a punch. There are three "chapters" within this book. The first story revolves around Otis needing a haircut and being nervous, and Peanut showing him that it's okay to look a little different that you are still you.
The second story is called 'Swing,' and Otis is sad because he is grieving for a friend named Pearl. This chapter was sweet and melancholy, as Peanut lets Otis know that it is okay to let yourself be sad. Otis says, "Peanut, I think I'll always be a little sad. Even when I'm happy." Peanut then says, "It's okay to feel two things at the same time, Otis." This chapter will be a strong one for any family dealing with grief.
The third chapter is about Otis making his house a home, and what he is doing to make it so. This was a beautiful comic full of heart, a wonderful supportive friendship, along with having bright pops of color to appeal to young readers.
I loved this book, but this is not a fun or humorous story.
This is an early reader comic about best friends Otis and Peanut. I didn't expect this short comic book to pack such a punch. There are three "chapters" within this book. The first story revolves around Otis needing a haircut and being nervous, and Peanut showing him that it's okay to look a little different that you are still you.
The second story is called 'Swing,' and Otis is sad because he is grieving for a friend named Pearl. This chapter was sweet and melancholy, as Peanut lets Otis know that it is okay to let yourself be sad. Otis says, "Peanut, I think I'll always be a little sad. Even when I'm happy." Peanut then says, "It's okay to feel two things at the same time, Otis." This chapter will be a strong one for any family dealing with grief.
The third chapter is about Otis making his house a home, and what he is doing to make it so. This was a beautiful comic full of heart, a wonderful supportive friendship, along with having bright pops of color to appeal to young readers.
I loved this book, but this is not a fun or humorous story.
April 5, 2023
A very early-reading comic book, making virtues of its low colour count and simplicity. First off one of the characters dislikes the idea of the barbers', but due to some contrivance about wanting a refresh in life the visit gets to be more appealing. Then something much more serious, as grief is looked at and accepted, before we close with a look at how friends and visitors can be the best thing about a new home. It's all well-intentioned, and none of it is done badly, but it's a bit of a rum jumble of concepts and lessons, and constant mentions of other people make me think this is just part of a larger series I hadn't been privy to before (NB it's actually a Book One). Read as a stand-alone, it's not much more than three stars. It would need that larger group of such books before really becoming a necessity.
March 20, 2023
I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
The start of a new series for lower elementary level readers. Otis and Peanut are friends who support each other and play together. As the story unfolds, they address a third character who is no longer there. Hrab never explains why Pearl is no longer with them but the grief is an undertone. Otis shares his feelings and Peanut supports his friend by being there and listening.
The book is set with three chapters that are different stories. The text is simple to follow for younger readers, and the illustrations capture the character moods well. Terrific book to have for those who have suffered a loss of any sort as it will open dialogue on their own feelings.
The start of a new series for lower elementary level readers. Otis and Peanut are friends who support each other and play together. As the story unfolds, they address a third character who is no longer there. Hrab never explains why Pearl is no longer with them but the grief is an undertone. Otis shares his feelings and Peanut supports his friend by being there and listening.
The book is set with three chapters that are different stories. The text is simple to follow for younger readers, and the illustrations capture the character moods well. Terrific book to have for those who have suffered a loss of any sort as it will open dialogue on their own feelings.
February 27, 2023
This early graphic novel features three chapters about 2 friends. Filled with humor, friendship and great illustrations the stories are designed to help alleviate common situations that a young child may fear: getting a first haircut, feeling sad because a friend has moved away, and making a new house seem like a home. The dialogue is almost like therapy on a young child's level as the friends - together - work to identify the problems and feelings and then to work to make everything better. A little too long for a Storytime but a book I would definitely recommend to parents looking to help their child through an emotional time.
April 23, 2023
Here are three simple tales of friendship told in graphic novel style for early readers. They revolve around a long-haired guinea pig and a naked mole rat. Their friendship is already well established, and references to other missing characters made me wonder if this wasn't a later volume in a series, but I'm guessing the little ones won't mind this.
The limited color palette and bold graphics are appealing, and I honestly found these two just as charming as a certain elephant and piggie I know.
Thanks to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for sharing this one.
The limited color palette and bold graphics are appealing, and I honestly found these two just as charming as a certain elephant and piggie I know.
Thanks to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for sharing this one.
June 27, 2023
It's two friends dealing with changes, including getting a haircut, missing a friend, and adjusting to a place. The friendship seems a little lop-sided with Peanut supporting Otis more than the other way around. It focuses on social-emotional issues. I was a bit unclear if Pearl is supposed to have moved away or has passed away. Just nice stories about being a good friend in the less obvious ways. I do feel like there are getting to be too many 2-friend stories in early readers and beginning graphic novels that are trying to emulate Mo Willems' ever-popular Elephant and Piggie, but they never quite hit the mark that those books have. For fans of Elephant and Piggie and Frog and Toad.
January 16, 2024
Three lovely, gentle chapters about two creature-like friends. In one, Otis is scared of getting a haircut, so Peanut supports him getting used to the idea. In the other, Otis misses a friend. Again, Peanut stays with him and gently supports him. He says my favorite sentence of the whole book: "It is okay to feel two things a the same time." In the final chapter, they discover that what makes a house a home is a close friend who comes to visit regularly. I love the emotional intelligence these stories show. This is suitable for preschoolers on up, and I hope the adults in their lives will talk about the issues with them and how to be a good friend.
December 31, 2024
This is an early chapter graphic novel. It is simply lovely. This is not my first Otis and peanut book but I think it’s the first in the series. There are three mini stories. The second story the swing is heartbreakingly beautiful. It’s about loss. Otis, misses Pearl. We don’t know who Pearl is or why Otis misses them. We just know that Pearl is not around and Otis is sad. Peanut tries to help the best way that they can. Comes up again in the last story, but only momentarily. This book was beautiful both in illustration and in wording. This is a group of characters. I hope to see more in the future.
June 26, 2023
Three stories, first one just very cute, then BLAMMO possibly a deep meditation on living with grief?!?! (that is totally appropriate for kids! This is maybe just a warning for adults that this is one of the kid books where you are innocently reading along and then may be bowled over in a good but surprising way!), then another cute one (with a minor reference back to the second!), rounded out by a recipe for baked potatoes. I mean this is a pretty perfect book and I'm SO EXCITED it's "Otis & Peanut, #1" and I am eagerly awaiting #2!
January 28, 2023
I received a free digital ARC from OwlKids via NetGalley. This graphic novel advertised for ages 6-8 is relatively short and has 3 stories starring 2 best friends. My son is 8 and he felt the stories were too short and he wanted the adventures to be more fun. However, he said he would read a 2nd book with the characters. The stories cover realistic sensitive issues, rather than fantastical, funny adventures. They are easily relatable for kids.
April 12, 2023
The first of a series about the friendship between Otis, a long-haired guinea pig, and Peanut, a naked mole rat. Three simple, appealing, and relatable stories reveal their bond. In the first, Otis frets over getting a haircut, wondering if anyone will recognize him. In the second, Otis tells Peanut how much he misses the loss of his friend Pearl. In the last, Otis talks to Peanut about settling into his new home.
December 19, 2023
This graphic novel for younger readers is adorable. I like that the characters are different and because of this, they help each other deal with things. It reminds me of Elephant & Piggy, which is more of a picture book/early reader.
Graphic novels are fantastic ways to build confidence as readers grow. It is important to have a variety of options to appeal to different readers. This will be a perfect addition to any library collection and I highly recommend it.
Graphic novels are fantastic ways to build confidence as readers grow. It is important to have a variety of options to appeal to different readers. This will be a perfect addition to any library collection and I highly recommend it.
November 15, 2025
This young graphic novel featuring a guinea pig and a naked mole rat is divided into three chapters. In the first, Otis, the guinea pig, is afraid to get a haircut but his friend Peanut helps him through it. In the second chapter, Otis is feeling sad because he misses someone. Peanut is supportive, validating Otis's feelings and telling him it's OK to feel both happy and sad at the same time. In the final chapter, Peanut helps Otis make his new home truly feel like a home.
December 30, 2022
I would like to thank Owlkids for providing me with an ARC.
I loved this book. The relationship between Otis and Peanut was fantastically written. I fell in love with both of the characters. I loved the themes and topics. It was super sweet and touching. The simple color palette was great for the stories and characters. I am looking forward to reading other works by this author.
I loved this book. The relationship between Otis and Peanut was fantastically written. I fell in love with both of the characters. I loved the themes and topics. It was super sweet and touching. The simple color palette was great for the stories and characters. I am looking forward to reading other works by this author.
July 21, 2023
Otis & Peanut are friends and together tackle anything that comes their way. This heartwarming book will help readers deal with tough emotions and situations. Hrab has mad the short stories in graphic novel form easy to understand and straight forward. The illustrations are simple and expressive which adds a layer of depth.
February 2, 2023
A fun graphic novel for chapter book readers. I couldn't decide what type of creatures Otis and Peanut are, but I love how they model the give and take of friendship. A lot of depth in simple stories.
June 12, 2023
Checked this out from our library district. I wanted to see if it might be a good gift book for one of our grandchildren. Cute stories, but not quite the right book. But a fun book about friendship! Maybe it might be a good book for adult friends!
October 17, 2023
This book had NO RIGHT to have the emotional pull that it did. So many beautiful lessons in friendship, facing changes, coping with loss, and celebrating each other. All through the lens of a...naked mole rat? You can find pathos in the most unusual of places in children's lit.
June 17, 2024
I don't have a lot of takeaways. The middle section that dealt with grief was surprisingly well done. The teeth on one of the main characters (Otis? Peanut? It's been a minute but I can confidently answer, yes, one of those) scared and distracted me a great deal.
July 8, 2025
The art here makes the book extra quirky... I had to read the back flap to know what sort of animals these two are. But the simple page designs, bright colors, and silly antics will delight any child who enjoys humor. They definitely have their own voices and its age appropriate.
March 30, 2023
Very sweet with definite Elephant & Piggie vibes.
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