Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee

Early Chapter Book

by Kelly Carey

Friendship works best when two friends each bring something unique to the relationship and are willing to compromise.  Bink brings her home at the base of a tree and a zany love of colorful socks, while Gollie brings her home atop the tree and an aversion to colorful socks. With the same uncomplicated stroll through friendship that is experienced when reading the beloved Frog and Toad, Bink & Gollie have a wonderful, frustrating and loving relationship.  

In three short chapters, each its own complete story, Bink brings mayhem and Gollie brings understanding.  The charming compromises involve socks and pancakes, a mountain adventure and a sandwich, and a goldfish and a pond.  Through it all, Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee use heart and humor to capture the essence of friendship.

The combination of illustrations and minimal text on every page in a chapter book format makes this an excellent bridge book for the child reader ready to move beyond picture books.  The illustrations have a no nonsense feel  and the dialogue rich text gives this book a nod of maturity that elementary school readers will appreciate.

On Writing    

For writers, here is a textbook lesson on how to create memorable complete characters and tell a full story with an arc, tension and a heart-string tug in very few words. Any time you think it can’t be done, just pick up Bink & Gollie for inspiration.

Bink & Gollie will make you smile, giggle and sigh and before you know it you’ll be ringing up your own best friend to ask if they want to go roller-skating.