Axolotl and Axolittle

The salamander sibs of this animated picture book’s title couldn’t be more different. Bright pink older sister Axolotl is a big personality who “lives life to the max-a-lotl.” Bespectacled and yellow-hued younger brother Axolittle is quieter by comparison—“he loves to just relax a little.” A series of snapshots depicting the duo’s activities highlights their deep mutual affection and complementary strengths—as Axolotl thrashes on the guitar, Axolittle avidly plays along on the triangle. But when Axolotl’s exuberance goes too far, and she inadvertently wrecks Axolittle’s in-progress painting, their relationship devolves into squabbles. It’s time for Axodadl to step in, take the pair on his lap, and forge a reconciliation (“They wipe their axolotl eyes/ and then they axo-pologize”). Clean-lined, limited-palette digital art by Rebar emphasizes the characters’ distinct personalities, while consistent rhyming lines by Hitchman provide amusing ear tickles alongside gentle lessons about connection and conflict resolution. Ages 4–8. (July)