THE PURPLE PUFFY COAT

Two very different friends learn to appreciate their differences.

Beetle can’t wait for Stick Bug’s birthday next week. Beetle is so excited about the present he got his friend—it is “SO amazing, and you need it SO much”—he decides to give it to him early. It is a big, puffy coat in Beetle’s favorite color. Beetle urges Stick Bug to wear the coat immediately. Stick Bug reluctantly complies. When they walk around the neighborhood, Stick Bug attracts lots of attention. Beetle is sure the pointing and staring is admiration; Stick Bug is not so sure. When Beetle starts to make a new gift for Stick Bug to give him on his actual birthday, he decides to paint a portrait of Stick Bug in his beautiful new coat. But when thinking of how Stick Bug’s face looks when he's wearing his new coat, Beetle realizes that Stick Bug doesn’t love the coat at all. Panicked, he figures out the perfect remedy. Boelts’ energetic text and Duncan’s comical, delicate illustrations, showing a thoroughly embarrassed Stick Bug and a delighted Beetle, combine to make this picture book a silly treat that will have readers giggling and pointing while learning valuable social-emotional lessons about personalities and relationships.

Delightfully funny and warm.