June 6, 2025
I let my nephew pick out this week’s book to review because he seems to have great taste even at 2 years old. He had me check out 57 library books just to keep his options open. He deigned to carry exactly, (checks notes) *1* book to the car. And also tried to make me carry him. My 3-year-old goddaughter also mentioned she’d be visiting me soon, so stay tuned for her pick. She’s quite well read so I’m expecting a more commercial/literary book. I just have to pry her out of her mother’s arms first.
So-Hee is a lonely girl with no siblings and tons of allergies that keep her from making many friends. But she’s got a plan! Get a pet without fur that she can HUG! Enter Lowy, a superb banana snake who adores being hugged and loved by So-Hee. Lowy assists when So-Hee plays doctor, sunbathes on the roof with her, visits the carousel, and my favorite, enjoys steaming in the bathroom while So-Hee takes warm baths. But one morning… Lowy is gone! So-Hee looks everywhere in her building, which leads her to an apartment where Lowy is sunning under a heat lamp! So-Hee’s new girl neighbor has a tortoise named Taxi, who (I guess?) invited Lowy to sun with him. The girls become friends and enjoy their hairless, furless, pets together.
Bits and Pieces: The art was rendered in ink and watercolor with brush pens on Arches paper. Both So-Hee and her mom had adorable matching haircuts and very colorful outfits. I only wondered why they never changed clothes. Although I respect that Lowy was always wearing a cool accessory. You don’t always see a snake in driving goggles.
Not Sure About: How Lowy got around So-Hee’s apartment building so easily. I feel like I would notice a giant banana snake on the elevator, you know?
Favorite Part(s): So-Hee’s mom was so supportive. She was going through a lot with a kid who had such bad allergies. And she let So-Hee get a giant snake. And she subscribed to “Snake Magazine”. And she made homemade sushi. And she went all around town hanging “LOST” posters. And she always seemed to be serving fresh lemonade to So-Hee and Lowy.
