Pair of opposites learn friendship
“Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides,” by Anna Kang, Christopher Weyant (Two Lions)
Hudson, the dog, and Tallulah, the cat, live next door to each other, and they are opposites in every way. It is their differences that make a new picture book “Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides” a rollicking good time. When the story opens, Hudson is digging his way under a fence. Tallulah remarks that “fences keep us safe.” Hudson insists that “fences keep me trapped.”
When Hudson frees himself, Tallulah decides to follow. They walk by a cafe where a worker is throwing out a trash bin full of half-eaten sandwiches and soggy fruit. “Breakfast,” Hudson comments. Tallulah merely rolls her eyes and says, “Garbage.”
A few blocks later, just past the dog park, the duo encounters a mud puddle. “Come on. The mud is fine!” says Hudson. “The mud is filthy,” insists Tallulah. And so it goes.
This story unfolds primarily through the illustrations, but there are a few words featured.
Tallulah is thrilled to greet someone familiar: the mail carrier. Hudson is immediately on edge, “That the dude who attacks my house! Every day! At noon!”
The difference in opinion about the civil servant (friend, enemy) is the last straw. Tallulah and Hudson return to their respective homes, each keeping to one side of the street. They huff along until they encounter a puddle of water attended by a flock of thirsty birds.
There is only one word on the doublepage illustration that comes next in the book. Splash! There are a lot of zoom marks, from the frenzied feet of both Hudson and Tallulah. Soon, they are running in tandem, and they sit side-by-side to watch as the birds make their escape.
In the next several pages, readers see that Hudson and Tallulah find other things to enjoy together: chasing soap bubbles, digging for chipmunks and getting a belly rub from Grandma, who also happens to have a ball of yarn to chase.
“Take Sides” has a simple premise and a simple message. It’s a winner all the way around.
Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant are the creators of “You Are (Not) Small,” which won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. They also wrote and illustrated “Eraser, Can I Tell You a Secret?” and “Will You Help Me Fall Asleep?” Weyant’s work is often published in the New Yorker and his cartoons are syndicated worldwide. The are a husband-and-wife team, living in New Jersey with their two daughters and their rescue dog, Hudson, the inspiration for the character in this book.