Review: Simon and the Better Bone

By Corey R. Tabor

New York, NY: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2023. Picture Book.

Simon and the Better Bone follows the same signature style Corey Tabor introduced readers to in his Caldecott Honor winner, Mel Fell. However, this time instead of a kingfisher bird we meet an adorable dog named Simon. Arranged vertically, the top half of the spread depicts Simon himself while the lower half shows another strange dog (that unbeknownst to Simon is actually his reflection in the surface of a pond.) What follows is a series of comical events as Simon tries to get the better bone his rival has, and ends with a sweetly redemptive act of kindness.

Sure to warm your heart, make you chuckle, and catch your eye with its soft illustrations and unique layout, Simon and the Better Bone, is one you'll come back to time and again.

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