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PRESCHOOL
Wade, Stef

Q & U Call It Quits

32 pp. | HarperCollins/Quill Tree | June, 2021 | Trade ISBN 978-0-06-297068-8 $17.99
(2) PS Illustrated by Jorge Martin. For beginning readers grappling with the intricacies of both phonics and friend groups, this picture book tackles the two together, telling the story of relationships between letter pairs. At the start, Q and U are an inseparable duo and do everything together. "But even though they were good friends, there was a problem. As much as Q loved U, U began to see that Q needed her more than she needed him." Trouble ensues. U begins spending time with N, T, and S, but Q struggles to form other bonds ("It never quite worked...'Hey, qids!'"). The bright, exaggerated cartoon art with its personified alphabet illustrates the situation using words and actions that show the letters working together (or not, in Q's case). U eventually goes off to spend some time alone (and "unattached"), inspiring all the others to seek their own "me time." This creates havoc, as important and necessary words--such as sleep and play--cannot be formed. The social dynamics worsen, and everyone begins to quarrel, until finally Q and U reconcile and insist upon "Quiet." Just as readers of this entertaining picture book gain a better understanding of how letters actually work together to form words, the letters themselves develop a better sense of how to be more emotionally supportive friends, thus offering some insight into our own social needs and the needs of others.
Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

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