Chill by Carol Thompson

Little Hare Books, 2012.
(Ages: 4-8) Dolly (the pig) and Jack Rabbit are best of friends. They like doing everything together and simply being in the company of one another is the recipe for a perfect day. They are wonderful friends to each other, full of compliments like 'I like your hair Dolly', and 'such a fine face, Jack Rabbit', and do everything together whether it means being quiet, loud, fast or slow. They even have nicknames for one another ('Jack Knotty Noodle' and 'Dolly Wolly Doodle') and understand each other completely.
One day Jack and Dolly get angry at each other. And not just a little angry - fully blown consumed with anger. Dolly has drawn a portrait of Jack and she has made his 'ears look like slimy slugs'. Jack has drawn a portrait of Dolly and has made her 'look like a lumpy pumpkin'. They are SO MAD. After walking away from each other in anger their madness soon turns to sadness. And then in an effort to stop themselves EXPLODING with emotion Dolly and Jack go to a safe calming place, close their eyes and think of something that makes them happy . . .
This is a beautiful tale about what it means to be friends and an important lesson in how to deal with anger and move on before we EXPLODE! I adore the relationship that Dolly and Jack have. Reading about them together made me feel light and full of joy and the humorous way that they recharge their friendship and calm each other down is endearing. This is illustrated as Jack Rabbit does 'this little piggy . . . ' on Dolly's toes and Dolly gives Jack Rabbit a shoulder massage before they agree that they are 'chilled now'. The book uses beautiful sketch illustrations and speech bubbles to reveal the friendship and the emotions of Dolly and Jack and is a gentle reminder that sometimes our emotions get the better of us. As Jack and Dolly show us even the best of friends get angry at each other sometimes.
Nicole Smith-Forrest