Kalinka and Grakkle

In her quirky new picture book, author-illustrator Julie Paschkis (“P. Zonka Lays an Egg,” etc.) tells of a busy little bird with bright yellow plumage and a flower-bedecked red cap who insists on “improving” the life of her neighbor, a big, hairy, green grump of beast named Grakkle. Peace finally reigns when a crisis brings the two together in cozy friendship. Paschkis’ signature exuberant colors and textile patterns with an Eastern European feel are a feast for the eyes.