About the Holiday

Today’s holiday was established by Apriori Beauty in 2015 to recognize all those people who make life more fun, meaningful, and joyful—more beautiful—for someone else. This can be done in so many ways, from spending time talking with someone to let them know you care to sharing your talent for baking, art, music, gardening, home repair, or any skill with a friend, family member, or coworker. These acts of kindness bring joy to them and to you. Even just giving a smile to those you meet can brighten someone’s day. Making someone else feel good will make life more beautiful for you too! Today’s two books are delightful reminders that spending time with friends, making new friends, and enjoying shared experiences can make life feel new and exciting.

Thank you to Tundra Books for sending me these books for review!

The Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song

By Michael Slack

Part acorn, part long-eared puppy, and all around adorable, the three Funjeepup best friends—Dot, Button, and Dollop—love exploring their magical forest. On this sunlit morning, they settle on an inviting bolder to enjoy “big juicy berries,” only to attract an uninvited guest. As the bluebird swoops in, Dot runs and hides, afraid the bird wants to eat their snack, but Dollop reassures her that she just wants to sing.

Indeed, a “beautiful song” soon wafts on the breeze. The Funjeepups are so delighted that they’re inspired to create their own song. They hurry home for their instruments. Dot brings a drum, Button pulls a piano, and Dollop carries a flute—and more berries! Each of the friends plays their favorite kind of song, but this only creates noise. Dollop urges them to try again, saying that their first attempt was simply a “not-YET song.”

Their second try isn’t much better than the first, so bird decides to help. On Dot’s drum she taps out a pleasant beat with her feet. Dot catches on quickly. “I am playing the drum!” she proudly announces. Next, the bird lands on Button’s piano and pecks out individual keys. Button begins to understand and is soon plinking a tune. Dollop, who’s been playing the flute through his nose, gets a correction as well as a lesson on creating different notes.

Now, Dot, Button, and Dollop put their newfound talents together and play a beautiful song! Bird listens happily then flies away, leaving a gift behind. The Funjeepups are so grateful for the bird’s help that they leave a gift too. Bird sings her thanks then takes her gifts home to decorate her nest.

Michael Slack’s endearing forest friends are sweet companions on this musical adventure turns into a day of musical discovery and confidence building. Slack’s Funjeepups are darling, and his lovely woodland setting will enchant little readers. Young children are sure to giggle knowingly as Dollop plays the flute through his nose, happy to be in on this visual joke until Bird sets him straight.

Slack’s minimal, simply stated text printed in bold type contains many building blocks for early word recognition and reading, such as repeated words, short sentences, and musical onomatopoeia that’s fun to say or play on an instrument. In addition to introducing young readers to the graphic novel format, his panels focus readers’ attention on each sentence and its accompanying illustrated facial expressions and emotions as well as incremental changes in the plot.

A charming book that both kids and adults will love to share over and over, The Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song is fresh and eye-catching in an easy-to-hold 6 1/4″ x 9 1/4″ size. It is sure to be a cherished addition to home and library collections. Pair with Funjeepups: A Star Wish to create a much-loved gift.

Ages 3 – 7

Tundra Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1774887004

Michael Slack is the author and illustrator of many books for young readers, including Kitties on Dinosaurs, Bunny Built, Shorty & Clem and Elecopter. His art and character design has been featured in books, television and games. He lives with his family in the Bay Area of California. Visit him at slackart.com.

You can purchase The Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

The Funjeepups: A Star Wish

By Michael Slack

The Funjeepups are camping out, sheltered in a fallen log, the darkness dispelled with an acorn lantern and a small fire to keep the chill at bay. Dot, Button, and Dollop are ready to stay out all night. They want to “. . . see stars. And make a wish.” But clouds blow in, obscuring the stars and ruining their plans to make wishes. But then stars seem to appear on the horizon. Dollop runs toward them and catches one in his hands. When he shows Dot his star, she imparts bad news: “That’s a bug.” Since it shines, Dollop is undeterred and tells her to “make a bug wish.” The firefly lands on Dot’s nose as she closes her eyes to wish.

The clouds don’t dim all of their enjoyment, though, and Dollop suggests a night hike. Taking their trusty lantern and new friend along, they head into the woods. Soon, they’re running back to camp after hearing “Hoo Hoo” and encountering a frog. All is forgotten as Dollop brings out marshmallows for gooey fun, and the campfire is perfect for shadow play. Following a game of Stick, Stone, Stack, Dot, Button and Dollop send the firefly home and drift off to sleep.

During the night, they’re awakened by a moonbeam, and Dot’s excited to see that her “bug wish came true.” The sky has cleared! They make their star wishes then drift back to sleep. In the morning, they’re proud to have spent the entire night outside. Dot hurries home to see if her bug wish came true.

Just as in Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song, Dot, Button, and Dollop embark on an adventure in the woods with curiosity and enthusiasm. When their planned activity becomes impossible, instead of moping the three friends take advantage of other forest delights and make a new friend in the process. Their clever pivot from stars to fireflies will enchant little readers. Michael Slack’s gentle woodland fright will bring giggles instead of gasps, and his playful games may inspire similar fun at home. Slack’s signature storytelling, encompassing short sentences, repeated words, and visual clues, encourages young children to become proficient and avid readers.

Funjeepups: A Star Wish sparkles with humor and friendship and is a heartwarming story to inspire nighttime adventures at home or outdoors. The book is sure to enjoy continual requests for cozy read aloud story times. Pair with Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song for a gift any young child will treasure.

Ages 3 – 7

Tundra Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1774887028