If Wendell Had a Walrus by Lori Mortensen - ADVISABLE

Mortensen, Lori If Wendell Had a Walrus, illustrated by Matt Phelan. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt and Company, 2018. $18. 9781627796026.

Wendell is a young boy with a great imagination and today he's imagining how great life would be if he had a pet walrus. They would tell jokes together, ride bikes, build forts and more. So Wendell heads to the seaside and writes a letter to a walrus--throwing it out to sea in a bottle--inviting him to come live at Wendell's house. While he waits for a response, Wendell notices another boy also waiting nearby. Merrell is hoping/waiting for a whale friend, so while the boys wait for responses from their sea mammals they begin to play--telling jokes, riding bikes, building forts and more. They both come to see that there is no rush for a walrus or whale because they have a great friend right now. 

This book checks all the boxes--sweet message, wonderfully written, fantastic illustrations, and a few great jokes kids and adults will appreciate. I loved it. 

Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: TC

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