Buffalo Fluffalo

by Bess Kalb, Erin Kraan (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Centering on the unique lead character Huffalo Buffalo, who also happens to be very fluffy, this is a story that will inspire kids and grownups to accept who they are.

THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Introducing a sweet and silly buffalo who tries to bluff and fluff his way into being bigger than he really is. This laugh-out-loud story by an Emmy-nominated comedy writer shows it’s okay to be yourself.

I’m the Buffalo Fluffalo
I heave and I huffalo
Leave me alone because
I’ve had enuffalo.

Buffalo Fluffalo arrives on the scene puffed up with self-importance. Stomping around and raising billows of dust, Buffalo Fluffalo proclaims his superiority to the other creatures—the ram, the prairie dog, and the crow—who just want to be his friend. So Buffalo Fluffalo, who has had enuffalo, heads off to grumble to himself. Suddenly, a rain shower pours down from the clouds and—what’s this? All of his fluffalo is a soggy mess! There Fluffalo stands, a drenched pip-squeak without his disguise. The other animals, who could see through Fluffalo’s bravado from the start, circle around to comfort him. As prairie dog says with a smile in his eyes, You’re great how you are, no matter your size.

Readers will find Buffalo Fluffalo’s insecurity endearing and will be moved to reassure him. This humorous and delightful book encourages self-acceptance with a lighthearted touch.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593564530
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	01/02/2024
Series:	A Buffalo Fluffalo Story
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	3,064
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Bess Kalb is an Emmy-nominated comedy writer and the bestselling author of Nobody Will Tell You This but Me, a New York Times Editor’s Choice. She wrote for eight years on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and has written for the Emmy Awards, the Academy Awards, and the 2020 Democratic National Convention. She is the head writer and executive producer of the WGA Award-nominated Yearly Departed, an Amazon Comedy Special, and is currently adapting Nobody Will Tell You This but Me into a feature film with Sight Unseen Pictures. She lives with her husband and two boys in Brooklyn. This is her debut picture book.

Erin Kraan is a children’s book illustrator, woodcutter, and printmaker. She loves the process of carving her characters into wood and seeing how their quirky and whimsical identities come to life through the ink in the prints. Erin lives and works in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Editorial Reviews

11/06/2023

Alliterative rhymes tell a tongue-twisting tale of metamorphosis about a “snuffalo, scruffalo, surly old buffalo,/ Who was ever so snarly and gnarly and tuffalo.” Buffalo Fluffalo repeatedly rebuffs friendly overtures from critters including a ram, prairie dog, and crow: “I heave and I huffalo./ Leave me alone because/ I’ve had enuffalo!” But after a storm rolls through and drenches the shaggy beast, the creatures discover that beneath the buffalo’s prickly persona and puffy coat is an insecure “pipsqueak.” When the bison tries to act tough again, the gawking creatures immediately reassure him: “You’re great how you are, no matter your size.” This moment of empathic community care helps the protagonist overcome his insecurities and abandon his bluster. Woodcut prints and scanned textures form the basis of Kraan’s big-eyed animated cast as well as a transformative rain that amplifies Kalb’s takeaway about inner acceptance. Ages 4–8. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

"Fun, silly stuffalo." —Kirkus Reviews

"Wordplay, rhythm, and rhyme add greatly to the fun of sharing this picture book with children, who will enjoy chiming in on the chorus, particularly on days when they too have “had enuffalo.” Great fun for reading aloud." —Booklist

"Woodcut prints and scanned textures form the basis of Kraan’s big-eyed animated cast as well as a transformative rain that amplifies Kalb’s takeaway about inner acceptance." —Publishers Weekly

"A heartwarming tale of self-acceptance." —The Bulletin

From the Publisher

12/15/2023

PreS-Gr 1—Buffalo Fluffalo is a grumpy buffalo with a tough exterior. Despite his attitude, his animal neighbors want to get to know him and approach him throughout the day. Without fail, Fluff snaps back: "I'm the Buffalo Fluffalo, I heave and I huffalo, leave me alone because I've had enuffalo!" When a heavy rain rolls in and soaks Fluff's fur, the animals realize that he is actually very tiny underneath his puffy coat. Embarrassed, Fluff gets defensive, but is interrupted abruptly by Ram, "You don't have to act tough! We like you just fine without all your puff." Support from his neighbors helps Buffalo Fluffalo overcome his insecurities. Kalb's sweet and silly story highlights the importance of self-acceptance and the impact of insecurities and low self-esteem on social relationships. Kraan's lively illustrations will immediately endear the readers to Buffalo, despite his grumpy demeanor. Tongue twisters and rhyming alliteration make this a wonderful read-aloud. VERDICT Sure to be a story time hit—this sweet and silly story encourages self-acceptance and is highly recommended.—Jillian Girardeau

School Library Journal

2023-10-21
What will happen when a surly buffalo has his cover blown?

The book opens on a peaceful, sunny landscape dotted by trees, flowers, and a river. Turning the page, readers meet the Buffalo Fluffalo. The cantankerous creature glares fiercely at readers, his stylized, curly coat puffed out above small bovine feet. A ram, a prairie dog, and a crow each approach the Buffalo Fluffalo with overtures of friendship, but all receive—ahem—a “rebuffalo.” He responds to each with a gruff “I’m the Buffalo Fluffalo—/ I heave and I huffalo./ Leave me alone because/ I’ve had enuffalo!”—a refrain rendered in a large bold text. But after a torrential downpour, the Buffalo Fluffalo is drenched; his fluffy coat plastered to his body, he’s now a fraction of his former size. How will the other animals react? The rhythmic, rhyming verses take plenty of liberties with language and use lots of alliteration, resulting in a humorous read. Despite his aggressive stance, our protagonist is endearingly cross-eyed, and the art exploits the comedic potential of a character who hides behind a puffed-up appearance. Some may wonder why the other animals are working so hard to befriend such a relentlessly hostile character, but all the nonsense words and the complementary art are so appealing that readers will easily accept the sugary ending.

Fun, silly stuffalo. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews