About the Holiday
The Get Caught Reading campaign was initiated in 1999 by the Association of American Publishers with the idea to promote literacy and language development through reading to children and encouraging them to read on their own. As part of the campaign, posters of celebrities, dignitaries, and even fictional characters enjoying a book are available for schools, libraries, and other organizations to hang where kids will see them. The excitement of reading also takes over social media all month long, which this year is more important than ever. To celebrate this holiday, make sure you stock up on new and favorite books or download ebooks or audiobooks from your library and get caught reading! Learn more by visiting the Get Caught Reading website and the Every Child a Reader website.
Thanks to Two Lions and Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy of Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides
Written by Anna Kang | Illustrated by Christopher Weyant
Hudson, a lovable, shaggy mutt, and Tallulah, an orange tabby lived on opposite sides of a fence in their tidy neighborhood. Tallulah was just about to sneak up on a bird singing atop the fence when Hudson went “BARK! BARK! BARK! BARK! BARK! BARK! BARK! BARK! BARK!” Tallulah took a last-ditch leap, but the bird—warned—flew away just in time. Tallulah fumed. “Hudson.”
Tiptoeing along the fence top, Tallulah saw Hudson digging a hole underneath the fence on the other side of his yard. “I’m busting out,” Hudson told Tallulah. He felt fences kept him trapped. Tallulah thought fences kept them safe. Still, Tallulah followed Hudson down the street. Behind the café, Hudson found breakfast in the trash can. Tallulah thought it was disgusting.
Image copyright Christopher Weyant, 2021, text copyright Anna Kang, 2021. Courtesy of Two Lions.
She was much more interested in the butterfly flitting here and there, there and here, and right into Hudson’s open, yawning mouth. Tallulah pounced, out spit the butterfly. Now it was Tallulah’s turn to lead. When they passed the dog park, Hudson headed in to play with his friends, while Tallulah waited. When the other dogs saw her, they went nuts. “CAT! BARK! CAT!!! CAT!! BARK! BARK! BARK! CAT!” Tallulah thought dogs were ridiculous.
Hudson and Tallulah had different opinions about mud, a squirt from the hose, and Dave the mail carrier. To Tallulah Dave was a friend; to Hudson he was an enemy. “You’re MY enemy,” Tallulah said. They continued on, but on opposite sides of the street, until… they came to a big puddle full of birds. Tallulah leaped, Hudson bounded. They splashed and ran in circles chasing the birds. When they reached the other side of the puddle at the same time, they looked at each other and smiled. They sat side by side and watched the birds scatter across the sky. Now they find lots of things they like to do together, and their home’s fences can’t keep them apart, but they still enjoy a little friendly competition: “You’re on my side,” Tallulah tells Hudson. But Hudson counters, “You’re on mine.”
Image copyright Christopher Weyant, 2021, text copyright Anna Kang, 2021. Courtesy of Two Lions.
Anna Wang and Christopher Weyant work in perfect tandem in showing kids that even polar opposites that argue like cats and dogs can find areas of agreement and even have fun together. This gentle lesson in giving other people a chance will make kids giggle as Hudson and Tallulah’s clash over what is safe, delicious, worth chasing, and cleanliness comes to a head over Tallulah’s love for the mail carrier. Wang’s story is told entirely through dialogue between Hudson and Tallulah that makes it easy for kids to understand their quarrels.
Along the way, Weyant’s bright cartoon drawings depict the differences between Tallulah and Hudson with humor and personality. Where Hudson is quick and loud, Tallulah is sneaky and quiet. Hudson can’t wait to get under the fence; Tallulah relies on it. Hudson is messy; Tallulah is neat. The characters’ wry facial expressions will make kids laugh. When the two come upon the puddle full of birds, the wordless two-page spread, lets readers predict what’s going to happen. Hudson and Tallulah’s separate, but identical, reaction is playful, encouraging, and the kind of bonding experience that can lead to friendship—whether animal or human.
A story short enough to engage youngest readers who may be making their first forays into making friends, but thoughtful enough for older kids who may have hit a snag in making or keeping a friend, Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides is a charming choice for home and classroom story times as well as public library collections.
Ages 3 – 7
Two Lions, 2021 | ISBN 978-1542006682
Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant are the creators of Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small as well as series titles That’s (Not) Mine, I Am (Not) Scared, and We Are (Not) Friends. They also wrote and illustrated Eraser, Can I Tell You a Secret?, and Will You Help Me Fall Asleep? Christopher’s work can also be seen in The New Yorker, and his cartoons are syndicated worldwide. This husband-and-wife team lives in New Jersey with their two daughters and their rescue dog, Hudson, the inspiration behind the character in this book. Visit them at www.annakang.com and www.christopherweyant.com.
You can connect with Anna on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
You’ll find Christopher on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Get Caught Reading Month Activity
There are lots of kittens and puppies to play with in these two printable puzzles!
Match the Kittens Puzzle | Match the Puppies Puzzle
You can find Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides at these booksellers
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million
To support your local independent bookstore, order from
Picture Book Review
celebratepicturebooks.com 