Bink & Gollie
By Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee; illustrated by Tony Fucile
Early reader/picture book/or some new form these brilliant people have discovered, ages 4 – 8
Candlewick Press, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3266-3
Awards/recognitions: * ALA Notable Children’s Book 2010 * Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
Charming, sweet, funny – you could use any of those descriptions for Bink & Gollie. But what makes this stand out as a Girls of Summer selection is that it celebrates girl friendship the way it ought to be. The story captures two complicated and headstrong buddies who figure out how to share fun and still leave room for individuality. (Seriously, is that too much to ask?) Gollie is tall and intellectual; Bink is short and all heart. In a mere 80 pages, DiCamillo and McGhee touch on disagreements, envy, and even a clash in temperament. But what I admire most is that the girls never try to hide who they are in order to remain friends. Instead, they make room for the other, whether it means trekking through the Andes or befriending a goldfish. Rounding things out are the illustrations by Tony Fucile of Disney fame for his award-winning character design for films like The Incredibles among others. His work here has a charming retro feel and palette that I find irresistible. MM
I love that Bink and Gollie are part of “Girls of Summer.” What particularly thrills me is that they are seen as being absolutely, utterly, unapologetically themselves: strong, curious, a little bit difficult, a lot joyous. — Kate DiCamillo
Read the Girls of Summer interview with Bink and Gollie co-author Alison McGhee here!
Visit Bink & Gollie‘s website: www.binkandgollie.com
This is not your school's summer reading list 
Sounds like this would be a great addition to our library, as my 6- and 10-year-old daughters are similar friends!
July 1, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Hi Maggi! Thanks for checking out Girls of Summer. Bink & Gollie is so much fun!
July 1, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Just put Olive’s Ocean in the cart, but this ambivalent customer review on amazon.com page (http://www.amazon.com/Library-Selection-Candlewick-Notable-Childrens/dp/076363266X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309536481&sr=1-1) made me hesitate over B&O ~
July 1, 2011 at 4:24 pm