School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Best friends Cork the muskrat and Fuzz the possum ("kind of the same, but different") continue their adventures when Fuzz finds Cork's new green stone, recently lost, and wants to keep it. They argue, but reconcile when a chipmunk makes off with the coveted item. This addition to the series maintains the characters' personalities as well as the authenticity of the friendship-like real children, they have to compromise and think the best of one another if they are to retain their relationship. McCue continues to give these characters a variety of expressions and convincing body language while remaining true to their animal natures. A welcome addition to easy-reader collections.-Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Muskrat Cork, who loves finding things, is especially excited by a shiny green stone he discovers. However, best friend Fuzz, an opossum, likes keeping things, and when Cork mislays his green stone, Fuzz tells him, "finders keepers." An encounter with a chipmunk helps Fuzz see Cork's point of view. This frustrating but familiar aspect of friendship is effectively explored and winningly illustrated. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Cork the muskrat loves to find things like feathers and smooth sticks, while Fuzz the opossum likes to keep things like food in his mouth. These best friends, adorably drawn by McCue in ink and watercolor, come into mild conflict when Cork loses his best green stone and Fuzz finds it, chanting, "Finders keepers." Fuzz also finds a wiggling hump of fallen leaves. As the story progresses it becomes evident that Fuzz is not the brighter of the two: "Should I hit it?" he asks, brandishing a stick. Soon enough they discover a hidden chipmunk within the leaves, who enjoys playing his own game of finders keepers. Fifth in the series, this simple, sweet tale offers a lesson, wisely pronounced by Cork: "Sometimes we cannot keep the things we find." It's clear from these pals that true friendship can withstand all sorts of mishaps. This Level 3 in the Viking Easy-To-Read program offers a touch more in linguistic sophistication than the venerable Frog and Toad but definitely partakes of that timeless sensibility. (Early reader. 6-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
The fifth chapter book in the Viking Easy-to-Read series about best friends Cork and Fuzz, who are kind of the same but different, has the short muskrat and the tall possum once again in a standoff. The detailed ink-and-watercolor illustrations show the furry creatures' body language as Cork is thrilled to find a shiny green stone, then angry when his friend grabs it and won't give it back. Quarrels make for great drama to read and reread, especially when kids know that the friends will make up and laugh together.--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2009 Booklist