friendship, flowers, and the feeling of home

Otis is a long-haired guinea pig, and his best friend is a naked mole rat named Peanut. They are the best of friends, and they are there for each other through life’s adventures.

First, Otis is thinking about getting a haircut. But he’s worried that it will change him too much. So Peanut offers to get the haircut instead. Only, he doesn’t have much hair. So he tries to change himself by buying a new hat, and then a new coat, and then some new shoes. He feels different but still himself. And as Otis sees his friend change but not change as he wears his new clothes, he’s less worried about the haircut and decides to give it a shot.

Later, Peanut goes to the park and finds Otis on the swing. He’s trying to go higher. Peanut sits next to him and finds out that his friend is sad. Otis is missing another friend. As they talk, Peanut assures him that it’s okay to miss Pearl, and he tries to help Otis swing higher. Otis still misses his friend, but he feels better having talked to his friend.

And when Otis is setting up his new house, painting the door a favorite color and planting lilacs just outside, Peanut comes by. And when Otis says that he wants his new house to feel like home but he feels like something is missing, Peanut goes through the whole house with him to try to figure out what he’s missing. Otis finally figures out what is missing, and only his friend Peanut can help make his house feel like a home.

Otis & Peanut is a collection of sweet stories about friendship. With charming illustrations and a relationship without judgment, these characters show what it means to be a good friend. They demonstrate empathy, give a safe space for sharing feelings, and find happiness in each other’s joy. Author Naseem Hrab and illustrator Kelly Collier have teamed up to create a heart-warming book about the importance of friendship, fun, feelings, and a really good hat.

Egalleys for Otis & Peanut were provided by Owlkids through Edelweiss, with many thanks.