Good Sports

Cork & Fuzz #3

by Dori Chaconas, Lisa McCue (Illustrator)

Cork is a short muskrat who likes to win at games. Fuzz is a tall possum who also likes to win at games. Two best friends. Both like to win. What will happen when they play games against each other?

An Easy-to-Read series that critics compare to “the measured dialogue and sweet illogic of Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad,”** Cork and Fuzz are sure to win fans with each new book.

*Kirkus Reviews, starred review of Cork and Fuzz

**Kirkus Reviews, starred review of Cork and Fuzz: Short and Tall

Genres: Childrens, Sports, Picture Books, Animals, Friendship, Fiction, 1st Grade

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2007

About the author

Dori Chaconas learned story pacing from an early age while entertaining her younger siblings. The author of such picture books as ON A WINTRY MORNING, ONE LITTLE MOUSE, and MOMMA, WILL YOU?, she lives in Germantown, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oddly, this is the first of the series that my library has. So maybe I'm missing something from the introductory books. But Fuzz seems like he's too competitive, almost a bully, and Cork is too much like a doormat, as if he's desperate for a friend. I don't think they do learn much about fair play. The solution at the end is non-solution.

I may be biased because I don't like sports and I'm less competitive as I get older. I do like cooperative games, though.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this easy reader at random to better familiarize myself with the children's literature collection we have.  Cork and Fuzz seem to be a classic, and certainly relatable given the fact that they're a possum and a muskrat.  As the two navigate their love of games and sports, how can they themselves learn to be good sports when they win and when they lose?  And how do they prevent the other's feelings getting hurt when the other wins?  Filled with vocabulary such as "winning", "games", and "losing", this is a great reader for reinforcing physical activity and some words related to outdoor games.  Overall, it was an enjoyable read!

Review cross-listed here!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another nice entry in the series, with Cork unable to win at any of the games the friends play; he's about to give up when he realizes that he can beat Fuzz at swimming, but Fuzz can't swim at all! Eventually they find something where both can play and be winners at the same time. A sweet story about friendship and sportsmanship, and how being friends is more powerful and important than winning every time.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cork is a short muskrat who likes to win at games. Fuzz is a tall possum who also likes to win at games. What will happen when they compete against each other. Will their friendship last or will the desire to win wreck their relationship? The best friends come up with a game that will ensure both of them are winners.

[Samantha Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are fun books, this one is probably the least amusing one I've read to the kids, but it's still good. The illustrations are adorable as well.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good easy reader about being a good friend and fair play.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My reader has moved on to chapter books, but still loves to read Cork and Fuzz

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it was about sports. That was really cool. You should read this book if you like sports. It was awesome!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations were what drew me to the book. I think Frog and Toad would like to meet Cork and Fuzz!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good story about competition and how to be a good sport, even if you lose. The narrative is short and the illustrations are colorful. We enjoyed reading this book together.

Our girls have enjoyed the stories in the Cork & Fuzz series by Dori Chaconas and Lisa McCue. We will certainly look for more of them at our local library.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cork and Fuzz are best friends who both like to win. When they are playing games and Fuzz is winning everything, much to the dismay of Cork. So Cork decides to create a game that Fuzz can't play just so he can win something. Sweet tale of how to be good sports and include everyone in your games.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cork is a short muskrat who likes to win at games. Fuzz is a tall possum who also likes to win at games. Two best friends. Both like to win. What will happen when they play games against each other?

An Easy-to-Read series that critics compare to “the measured dialogue and sweet illogic of Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad,”** Cork and Fuzz are sure to win fans with each new boo

[Hugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like where Fuzz says "I changed the rules to hide and seek rules" and when he whispers, "I won" like the kid on The Middle.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love Cork and Fuzz.

[Hillvan]

310L

[K.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

C really liked it.

[Andreea Souca]

Read to K and A

[Galadriel Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are fun books, this one is probably the least amusing one I've read to the kids, but it's still good. The illustrations are adorable as well.