Lalouche is a postman in Paris in the late 1800s. "He was small, Lalouche, and rather bony, but his hands were nimble, his legs were fast, and his arms were strong. For company, he kept a finch named Geneviève.” All of these things are important after Lalouche ends up out of work, replaced by an electric car. With a bird to support, he responds to an advertisement for sparring partners at the Bastille Boxing Club. “We pay cash.” He’s almost laughed out the door he’s so tiny. It also turns out he’s so quick that his opponents tie themselves in knots trying to hit him. He defeats the Grecque, Ampère, and the Piston. Then comes the Anaconda and it seems he’s met more than his match. “But one should never underestimate a man who loves his finch.” Matthew Olshan blends absurdity and sweetness in this hilarious story of a humble man devoted to his bird, with Sophie Blackall’s amusing illustrations, punctuated by tenderness, providing perfect accompaniment. (Ages 5-8)

   In Paris, France, there lived a humble postman named Lalouche. He was small, but his hands were nimble, his legs were fast, and his arms were strong. When his job was replaced by an electric car, he turned to boxing to support himself and his pet finch, Genevieve. But--"You? A boxer?" the fighters asked. "I could sneeze and knock you down!" Still, Lalouche refused to give up. And perhaps small Lalouche was just nimble . . . just fast . . . and just strong enough to beat his fierce competitors. This is a marvelous story, full of humor and heart, and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, winner of a New York Times Best Illustrated Award.