Duck is eager to go on the new slide in the park. Cat is not. It’s a bigger slide. A curvier slide. “Cat, a very good friend, wanted to make sure Duck had considered all options.” But no, Duck doesn’t want to go on the swings first. Or play in the sandbox. Halfway up the ladder, Cat, “a very good friend,” suggests a snack. Back in line, Cat suggests they politely let others who are waiting a turn go first. Cat, “a very good friend,” makes other “helpful” suggestions before finally telling Duck that the slide might not be safe: “… you may fall! And scream! And cry!” And Duck, to Cat’s surprise, agrees; she will not go on the slide. Seeing her disappointed, “Cat, a very good friend, worried that Duck was going to miss out on something she wanted.” With the potential to resonate with many children, this funny, tender story about fear and friendship features cheery, charming pencil and digital illustrations in which Cat’s anxiety is apparent from the start. The terrific text offers ample opportunities for inference and makes judicious use of repetition, while humorously revealing supporting dialogue arrives at a surprising, satisfying resolution. Highly Commended, 2024 Charlotte Zolotow Award (Ages 3-6)

In the spirit of Mo Willems and Ben Clanton, this “extremely funny and spot-on sensitive” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) picture book shows how a good friend can become even better by trying new things and putting others first.

Cat and Duck are very good friends and play together all the time, so when the new slide gets built, they can’t wait to try it out! Only, the slide is very big and curvy—what if it’s too big for Cat? As Cat and Duck move closer to the front of the line, Cat imagines everything that could go wrong until his worries start to rub off on Duck. Now Duck doesn’t want to go down the slide either.

Cat feels bad that Duck is missing out on the fun because of him. Can he find a way to make it right?