Horn Book Review
Wooby lives a quiet, rather lonely life in a neighborhood where people keep to themselves. When flamboyant, unconventional Peep moves in, Wooby expects trouble--and gets it. However, the two do have something in common, and they become friends in the end. Detailed cartoon-style illustrations and comical commentary from the animal neighbors add pizzazz to a familiar story line. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
After an inauspicious start, two very different characters find common ground and friendship. Wooby lives with his goldfish on a quiet street. Wooby likes things peaceful and orderly. He also likes his petunia patch and his 527-year-old tree and his pretty fountain. Then the house next door gets sold to Peep and her iguana, neither of whom are shrinking violets. Peep likes things loud and busy. The rest of the neighbors give Peep the bum's rush, but Wooby doesn't want to be rude, so he attends Peep's housewarming party. But when Peep tries to solidify their new friendship, she manages to accidently break the fountain, then to topple the ancient tree and finally to destroy Wooby's house--making herself scarce after this last disaster. Sitting amid the wreckage with his goldfish, Wooby actually starts feeling a little lonesome for his new neighbor, and when he discovers that Peep likes playing Go Fish, the deal is sealed. This is a very slim story, but it is surprisingly affectionate, both in the text and through Peterson's artwork, with its washed pinks and soft blues and simple, expressive line. It is also worthy that Wooby can see past his stick-in-the-mud existence and Peep's bumbling to find something of real value. Friendship is where you find it, and as this book demonstrates, sometimes it's under the most unlikely of rocks. (Picture book. 3-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
First, some introductions: meet Wooby, a brown-and-white dog with a pet goldfish, Wendy; and Peep, a yellow-and-white duck with a pet iguana, Ricardo. When party animal Peep moves in next door to quiet Wooby and says, You think the neighbors will mind my sound system? you know Wooby is in for a tough time. Peep decides to have a housewarming party, but the neighbors all come up with hilarious excuses for not attending. Squirrel RSVPs, I'm alphabetizing my nut collection that day. Everyone is a no-show except Wooby and Wendy, who feel it's rude not to attend. Peep's attempts at friendship go awry he accidentally knocks down Wooby's tidy house but in the end, a shared love of playing Go Fish brings both parties together. Peterson's warm, saturated illustrations incorporate panels and word balloons, giving this the feel of a picture book-comic book hybrid. Fun details abound, from the Two Dogs and a Moving Truck moving company (bulldogs in do rags!) to Peep's collection of animal-themed superhero comics (Batdog & Robin). Make a little room on the shelf for this winning tale of unlikely friendship.--Kelley, Ann Copyright 2010 Booklist
