In this sweet tale of new friendship and a morning woodland adventure, two young neighbors explore, climb trees, and forge fond memories.
Jazzy, a young ballerina, is out dancing in her driveway when Kettle pops by to introduce himself. The two children are both new to their neighborhood and decide to explore together. They quickly discover a wooded area full of flowers, with a river flowing through it. There, they find an elegant stag, a climbing tree, and a playful squirrel friend. Jazzy gets stuck in the tree and Kettle overcomes his fear to rescue her. They head home for breakfast, secure in their new friendship and excited about the future adventures that await in their backyards.
Soft but delightfully detailed illustrations with classic shapes and a dreamy color pallet complement the text of Introducing Jazzy and Kettle, bringing the simple tale to life. The story itself is told almost entirely through dialogue, which can be difficult to follow from page to page due to a notable lack of dialogue tags. Additionally, some transitions in conversation feel abrupt because there aren’t other cues to signal a change in tone or time to the reader.
Despite such missteps with the author’s stylistic choices, the story is lighthearted and enjoyable and often feels like an authentic peek into the gentle world created by two young children. In this snapshot of a friendship that feels bound for more adventures, Jazzy and Kettle show young readers how to explore, support one another, and have fun along the way.
Also available in hardcover and ebook.
