Warm and Fuzzy
by Scott Rothman; illus. by Brian Won
Preschool, Primary    Tundra    40 pp.
4/25    9781774884423    $18.99
e-book ed.  9781774884430    $10.99

The book’s title might evoke comforting emotions, but (on the surface, at least) it refers to the central characters. Warm is a Bigfoot-like beast with a gap-toothed smile; Fuzzy, Warm’s diminutive companion, looks more like a bear cub with prominent ears. Fuzzy smiles, too, but more often looks anxious, especially when Warm, upon awakening, declares, “Let’s go on an adventure.” Fuzzy is immediately skeptical, peppering Warm with a litany of little-kid-appropriate concerns: “What if it’s really cold? Or super hot? What if it’s scary? What if there are no bathrooms? Or worse, no toilet paper?!” Warm calmly packs their things (including clean underwear) into a massive green backpack, all the while reassuring the youngster. The two step through a magical door and into a wordless series of silly exploits with animal friends. Rothman hits just the right tone with this ode to trust and taking (safe) chances, incorporating enough TP jokes to keep the tone from growing too earnest. At times the change in speaker might be difficult to discern—only a subtle shift in font marks a difference between Fuzzy’s and Warm’s dialogue. Won’s art, rendered digitally in a palette of soft greens, browns, and purples, is reminiscent of colored-pencil drawings; orange and yellow pastel hues create stunning sunrise and sunset skies. This one will soothe young worrywarts and empower their caregivers.

From the July/August 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.