Come Home Already!

by Jory John, Benji Davies (Illustrator)

Overview

From the creators of Goodnight Already! and I Love You Already!, the third hysterical picture book about Duck and Bear, unlikely pals.

An excited Duck wants to hang out with Bear. But Bear’s gone fishing for a whole week and is happy to finally get a second alone.

What will Duck do while Bear is gone? How will he survive without his best pal?!

A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062370976
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	12/05/2017
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	281,668
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jory John is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time E. B. White Read Aloud Honor recipient. Jory’s work includes the award-winning Goodnight Already! series; the bestselling Food Group series, including The Bad Seed, The Good Egg, and more; the national bestseller All My Friends Are Dead; and many more popular picture books. You can visit him online at joryjohn.com.

Benji Davies loves to draw and make up stories. He has written several picture books and illustrated many more, picking up a clutch of awards along the way. Twice winner of Oscar’s Book Prize, he also won the children’s book category of the AOI World Illustration Awards and was the winner of the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book of the Year award. His books have been translated into more than forty languages and have sold over six million copies worldwide. Benji lives in London, England, with his wife and daughter. 

Editorial Reviews

John and Davies team up for a third (and possibly the best) tale of reluctant, one-sided friendship. The story...[is] dynamic and begs to be hammed up during read-alouds.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Davies’ bright and funny illustrations are equal partners in the telling of the tale and its humor—Bear’s expressions say it all. This odd Duck and grouchy Bear make an excellent pair.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Davies’s background as an animator is evident in his wonderfully contrasting, ever-changing colors and kinetics. The use of varied panels, poses, and fonts keeps the eyes and mind moving through the action.” — School Library Journal

“Children will enjoy the light, satirical humor in this story of two unlikely companions. A hilarious choice for most libraries.” — School Library Journal

“Come Home Already! ...[will] have you smiling as soon as you see the dust jacket and you’ll be laughing out loud at the book case.  The story inside will have your sides aching from pure glee.” — Librarian’s Quest (blog)

“Readers are going to thank you for reading it during story time and ask you to read it again.  You will certainly want a copy for your professional collection and your collection at home.” — Librarian’s Quest (blog)

“Packed with laugh-out-loud moments and wonderfully expressive illustrations, the tales of offbeat Duck and grumpy Bear beg to be read aloud again and again.” — Brightly

From the Publisher

Come Home Already! ...[will] have you smiling as soon as you see the dust jacket and you’ll be laughing out loud at the book case.  The story inside will have your sides aching from pure glee.

Librarian’s Quest (blog)

Packed with laugh-out-loud moments and wonderfully expressive illustrations, the tales of offbeat Duck and grumpy Bear beg to be read aloud again and again.

Brightly

Readers are going to thank you for reading it during story time and ask you to read it again.  You will certainly want a copy for your professional collection and your collection at home.

Librarian's Quest (blog)

Packed with laugh-out-loud moments and wonderfully expressive illustrations, the tales of offbeat Duck and grumpy Bear beg to be read aloud again and again.

Brightly.com

11/01/2017
PreS-Gr 2—John teams up with Davies for a third comedic adventure starring a quiet bear and a hyperactive duck. The wildly gesturing, finger-feathered duck arises one bright morning and, after a huge, syrup-laden breakfast, feels the urge to visit his neighbor Bear. But a sign on Bear's door announces that he has gone fishing for the whole week. "He's gone fishing? Without me? But…but…FISHING?! What am I going to do with myself until then?!" Duck is shedding feathers in his panic. Meanwhile, Bear follows the twisty trail delineated on his map, thinking, "This is the life. Alone with my thoughts. No pesky neighbors knocking on my door at all hours." While Duck careens from one activity to another, increasingly desperate for company, Bear learns that camping isn't as tranquil as he'd expected. The tent is hard to set up; the fish won't bite; it's starting to rain. Luckily, Duck has exhausted his options and finds his soggy, hungry neighbor at the campsite. In his nonstop, annoying way, he saves the day and Bear feels a bit better about Duck—until he doesn't. Davies's background as an animator is evident in his wonderfully contrasting, ever-changing colors and kinetics. The use of varied panels, poses, and fonts keeps the eyes and mind moving through the action. VERDICT Children will enjoy the light, satirical humor in this story of two unlikely companions. A hilarious choice for most libraries.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, NY

School Library Journal

2017-08-27
Will Bear get a vacation from Duck? Will Duck survive Bear's absence? When Duck goes for his daily visit to his neighbor Bear's house, he finds a sign on the door that says "Gone fishin' / Back next week." Duck can't believe his friend left him behind. Trekking through the woods, Bear's happy to be away from his intrusive neighbor. Duck's not—he can't find anything to do with himself (and he tries a lot of diversions). But Bear does not find camping as easy as he thought; he's not successful at fishing…and the woods can be scary at night. Something spooky comes out of the woods—much screaming ensues—but it's only Duck, come to check on Bear and bringing his camping skills (and snacks). Bear's actually glad to see his neighbor; camping's more fun when not alone…but solitary Bear isn't so sure how he feels when, once home, Duck says, "I'll always be by your side, Bear. Always and forever." John and Davies team up for a third (and possibly the best) tale of reluctant, one-sided friendship. The story, told entirely in the characters' monologues (with a bit of dialogue toward the end), is dynamic and begs to be hammed up during read-alouds. Davies' bright and funny illustrations are equal partners in the telling of the tale and its humor—Bear's expressions say it all. This odd Duck and grouchy Bear make an excellent pair. (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews