Gitty and Kvetch

Peach-hued Gitty is a curly-headed, relentlessly optimistic girl; her "unflappable friend" Kvetch is a grumpy purple bird. They share a Jewish heritage, expressed through a few visual hints (a Star of David and Hebrew rendition of Gitty's name on her bedroom wall) and through Kvetch's Yiddish-peppered conversation (his very name is defined in the book's Yiddish glossary as "to complain on and on and on"). Gitty has made a "perfect painting" for the duo's "perfect, purple tree house," and as the two head in its direction, she refuses to see any portent in the dark clouds overhead. Kvetch, however, predicts "more than a shprits" ("Time to move our tuchuses!"). When the rain spoils the painting and Gitty's mood turns Kvetch-like, the bird takes a turn as the sunny one--even as Gitty's initial reaction to his cheer is an uncharacteristic eye-rolling "Oy vey." Debuting author Pritchard's sweet-natured storytelling makes a strong case for friendship's resilience--and balancing capabilities--while Landy's (The Spacesuit) digital cartooning and washlike textures have plenty of bounce and bubble. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown. Illustrator's agent: James Burns, the Bright Agency. (Aug.)

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Debuting author Pritchard's sweet-natured storytelling makes a strong case for friendship's resilience--and balancing capabilities--while Landy's digital cartooning and washlike textures have plenty of bounce and bubble.

Landy's pictures are buoyant, with many bright col\xadors against a background of violet and rose hues....Young readders learn that personadal\xadi\xadties may not be as fixed as they seem. The most elated child, confronted bhy disappointment, often feels as powerless as Kvetch. On the other hand, the grumpy litle owl turns out to be capable of change....Like Yidddish itself, Kvetch is flexible. Disappointment can be transformed into new alternatives. The fact that the book centers this gentle lesson in the context of an ordinary childhood event, not a moment of real trauma, is important. Kvetch the owl may not share Gitty's intense sense of adventure, but he helps her to understand the importance of having a friend. —Association of Jewish Libraries