Book Description
for Hornbeam Gets It Done by Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Affable moose Hornbeam is back with his oddball friends for more quirky adventures in this follow-up to 2023’s Hornbeam All In. In the first episode, “March Worries,” Hornbeam is reasonably worried about his fragile blueberry bush during the windy month of March. “He could see all the blueberry muffins … blowing away” with it. After some trial and error, he and Eureka (a goose) come up with a solution: staking and roping not just the bush, but all items—a flagpole, a birdfeeder, a mailbox—that may also find themselves victim to the wind. “Food Shopping” sees Hornbeam and Cuddy (a cow) being too enticed by the baked goods during their Monday grocery shopping to get anything done. A pair of blinders keeps them focused, but a hot pepper in the mouth—suggested by a fellow shopper—works even better. In the final story, “Game Night,” Hornbeam (with snacks and lucky socks) joins other friends at Eureka’s house to play board games. The winner always brings a surprise to the next game night, ensuring a fun night for everyone. “No matter who won, everybody went home happy!” Colored pencil and gouache illustrations depict four approachable and endearingly dressed (Eureka wears crocs) animal friends in this funny picture book perfect for early readers.
CCBC Choices 2025. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, 2025. Used with permission.