The dynamic duo of Scieszka and Smith offer another offbeat tale—this time featuring the unusual twosome of Cowboy and Octopus. Cowboy and Octopus meet on a playground when Octopus offers to help Cowboy utilize the teeter-totter. Deciding that they should be friends, they shake on it. And shake and shake and shake and shake and shake and shake and shake. Their friendship has a few peculiarities, such as Octopus not being too fond of Cowboy’s favorite meal of beans and bacon and Cowboy not understanding how to respond to Octopus’s knock-knock jokes. While the two have different opinions, they also have a real good time together. The wacky jokes in this story are complemented perfectly by the collage illustrations made from paper dolls, cartoon cutouts, photos, and fabric. (Ages 5–9)