Welcome, friends! On the review docket today is a brand new- and super adorable- picture book from creators Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Musser called Ploof, courtesy of friends at Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada. Happy reading!

Book Description: Ploof is a puffy cloud who’s a little lonely — but now you’re here, and the fun can begin! Can you help Ploof overcome their shyness? Play pretend? Make Ploof laugh with your funny faces, find their hiding spot, give them a high five! Full of imaginative and interactive fun, each page of this perfect book for preschoolers offers a chance to play. By following cues to say hello, clap, blow, shake, wave or make a funny face, young readers will be delighted to see the effects of their actions on Ploof. They’ll learn social-emotional skills like empathy, encouragement and kindness through Ploof’s emotional journey — and, along the way, they’ll learn how to be a fantastic friend! Join Ploof’s adventures in a brand-new series co-written and co-illustrated by Narwhal and Jelly creator Ben Clanton and up-and-coming picture book maker Andy Chou Musser.

Ben Clanton (Narwhal and Jelly) and Andy Chou Musser (A Home Under the Stars) join creative forces to bring readers the utterly delightful interactive picture book Ploof. When readers meet little Ploof the cloud, the protagonist of the story, we learn that “Ploof is feeling lonely” and are asked to say hello. After saying hello, readers will turn the page to discover a happier, wide-eyed, smiling Ploof exclaiming “whoosh whee!” to the audience. As the story continues, Ploof goes through different experiences, emotions and levels of energy as readers are encouraged to help Ploof along. From being asked to “cheer Ploof on” by clapping; blowing “softly on Ploof” to “help puff Ploof back up”; playing guessing games and hide-and-seek with Ploof; and gently shaking a tree to help get Ploof unstuck, readers have multiple opportunities to not only be part of Ploof’s packed-to-the-brim and busy adventures, but also demonstrate understanding and empathy in taking care of their new friend. From front book cover (how can one dare resist a sweetly smiling Ploof?!) to back book cover, and pages in between, Ploof’s illustrations are wonderfully engaging, sure to enchant and melt the hearts of readers of all ages.

Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Musser have created a terrifically enjoyable picture book with Ploof: its captivating interactive feature, smooth and briskly moving story, and supremely winsome character in Ploof make for excellent reading. Readers who delight in picture books with an interactive element- along the lines of Hervé Tullet’s Let’s Play, Christie Matheson’s Plant the Tiny Seed, or Claudia Rueda’s Hungry Bunny– will likely adore Ploof and look forward to happily reading and rereading the story.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own. The expected publication date for Ploof is September 26, 2023.