For the Love of Lettuce

Caterpillar pals Parsley and Zip are opposite in everything.Parsley and Zip hatched on the same leaf, on the same day, but while Parsley lives in the moment, Zip plans every detail of their lives. Zip grows increasingly stressed over Parsley’s lack of concern. One day, they run out of lettuce. Ever the well-prepared caterpillar, Zip has a plan to find more lettuce, but it involves facing some scary chickens. As they journey toward the chicken-guarded lettuce, Parsley stops to play, eat, and rest, savoring the trip, while Zip urges his laid-back friend to keep up. A frustrated Zip has had enough and decides things should change. The next day, something has changed—Parsley has transformed into a cocoon! Nothing Zip does makes his friend react, and Zip is sad that he doesn’t have a solution. Trying to think of what Parsley would do, Zip finally starts to enjoy life, but the chickens are still around—and they’re hungry. Zip can’t think of a plan, but Parsley, now a butterfly, appears and saves Zip. This amusing tale conveys the message that flexibility is important in friendship, though it might have been stronger if the duo had learned from each other instead of Zip learning to be more like Parsley. Still, the book is funny and sweet. Much of the humor lies in the cute illustrations, with comical expressions from the two caterpillars. (This book was reviewed digitally.)An endearing friendship tale that’s a little one-sided yet still brimming with kid appeal. (Picture book. 3-6)