Yak and Dove are two very different friends - they are almost complete opposites. However, they still learn to get along and appreciate one another's company in these three cute little stories. The illustrations are very relaxing and cute.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book NetGalley. I received no incentive to read or review this book other than said copy of work. The review below contains my own thoughts and opinions. Special thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This title is adorable! I love the illustrations, my children and I have enjoyed reading this book together.

An arc was provided generously in exchange of an honest review via Netgalley.*
I liked it. The stories are sweet and funny. All of them are about friendship. Also children can learn all the differences between a yak and a dove.

Yak and Dove, written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Esme Shapiro, is a picturebook with three interconnected stories about two very different friends. Yak and Dove are complete opposites. Yak is large and Dove is small. Yak has fur and Dove has feathers. Yak is polite. Dove is ill-mannered. Yak likes quiet. Dove likes noise. One day as Yak and Dove list their differences they come to the conclusion that maybe they aren't meant to be friends. In the hope of finding a new best friend, Yak holds auditions. But when a small feathered contestant sings Yak's favorite song, the two begin to think that maybe they are alike after all.

Yak and Dove is a fun read. The three interconnected stories center around the friendship of the very different individuals. They are very different, and that does not always make friendship easy. However, I like that the stories came together to show how they compliment each other and are good friends because of those differences rather than in spite of them. I liked the whimsical nature of some of the story, it contrasted nicely with the real issues of friendship and working through problems with our friends rather than giving up and walking away, or making friendship conditional.

I think of this one as a cross between Elephant and Piggie and Frog and Toad. It's a tad more philosophical to be certain. A pretty quick read with stylized illustrations. Its teh sort of book you read with your kids and then talk about it.

I loved the illustrations, and the lessons were cute. Yak and Dove was too long to be a read aloud, but it was enjoyable.

'Yak and Dove' by Kyo Maclear with illustrations by Esme Shapiro is a series of three short stories about two unlikely friends.

In 'If We Were Twins' has Dove wondering what it would be like if Yak and Dove were twins. It starts out sweet, and devolves into typical sibling infighting. After their fallout, 'The Audition' has Yak looking for a replacement friend. Many animals audition, but there is only one who is perfect for Yak. The final story is 'Yak and Quiet,' where Yak grows a quiet garden, and Dove brings anything but quiet.

The stories are gentle and sweet. So are the illustrations. I loved the interaction between these two opposite friends, and how their differences are overcome by that friendship.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Tundra Books, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

A picture book with three different stories, Maclear’s Yak and Dove represents his traditional simplistic and moralistic style of storytelling paired with sweet water-colored and colored-penciled illustrations. Similarly to Shireen’s Neti and the Bird, Yak and Dove are unlikely friends and the theme of embracing indifferences stays consistent throughout the plot. Hilariously, Yak and Dove begin their story by contemplating what it would be like if they were twins, concluding in an obvious fight that is soon resolved in the second story. Yak wants a new friend who above all values fine music and furriness but learns to appreciate the friend he already has. The plot changes directions, ending with a contemplative, quiet garden chapter--another modern and relevant theme of turning off technology and all of life’s static. Maclear always intuitively incorporates subtle commentary on humanity, and in another pre-school to 3rd grade read, maintains his authenticity and heart-felt interconnectivity.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Yak and Dove by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Esme Shapiro (Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books, 2017)

This book is about Dove and Yak. Two best friends who learn that they don't have to be the same to be best friends. For me, I found it hard to stay interested in the story. I didn't like how the names yak and dove were used over and over and over...I also found the book to be very scattered with 3 stories that weren't even related. The illustrations however, were amazing!

Even before I became a mother, I have always had a special love for picture books. For my Master's degree, I chose to write about some of my favourite picture books. Later, when Little Dude showed up on the scene, I revelled in finally having a "reason" to buy as many gorgeous picture books as my arms could carry. For me, the very best picture books are the ones that tell a multi-layered story through sharply honed prose and pictures. I was already a fan of Kyo Maclear's other books, but Yak & Dove is a new favourite. Luckily, I was given an advanced review copy of Yak & Dove from Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books.

Adorable Characters

Yak and Dove are instantly lovable because they are so forthright in their discussions about what it would be like to be twins, or in the minor annoyances that they face on a daily basis such as being too loud or too quiet. The pictures by Esme Shapiro compliment the quirky dialogue with the whimsical, brightly coloured creatures too. Yak & Dove's hilarious antics will have kids (and their adult counterparts) flipping pages pretty quickly!

Snappy Vignettes

What I loved most was the structure of this book. Each segment of the story was broken up by a beautifully illustrated heading, such as "Twins" and "The Audition." It gave the story a larger, sprawling feel and even though the through-line carried along in all the vignettes, I felt like the story had layers. Because the words are all a dialogue between Yak & Dove, the pacing of this book is quite fast too. Even though the book isn't longer than other picture books, I loved feeling like I had a longer time with the adorable Yak & Dove.

A Unique Message

I think what makes this story so honest and heartfelt are all of the moments where Yak & Dove discover how they are different, but find that they are still happiest together. The message carries through all of the vignettes in a fun, lighthearted way and it is a pleasure to watch Yak & Dove embark on their adventures together. (My favourite being "Yak & Quiet," because I could not stop laughing at Yak's "quiet garden.")

The idea of being different, but compatible is a unique message, and I like that. Whether Yak & Dove were squabbling about being too loud and quiet or making up after a big fight, the message is clear: people who are different can love each other. I love this. I love this book. If you haven't already, go and pick up a copy when it hits the shelves on September 19th. (And then, because all of her books are equal parts beautiful and funny, pick up the rest of Kyo Maclear's books too).

“Yak and Dove” may be my new favorite children’s book ever. The story of friendship, both the ups and downs, is beautiful. The artwork is stunning. It’s the type of work that I want to hang all over the house. This is sure to be a classic and I encourage anyone with children in their lives (or without) to pick up a copy. I’ll be picking up several.

Five (hundred) enthusiastic stars!

After pondering how fun it would be to be twins, Yak and Dove realize they are very different. From their feathers and fur to their size and demeanor, Yak and Dove are opposites. So, rationally, they decide they aren't meant to be friends. Marmot helps Yak find a new best friend by holding auditions, and though many animals show off their talents only one knows Yak's favorite song.

Yak and Dove is a cute story of friendship. We may have differences but that often makes our friendships stronger.

Yak and Dove by Kyo Maclear. Illustrated by Esme Shapiro. An unlikely friendship between a yak and a dove highlights tolerance in their differences and joy in their like qualities in light of their extreme physical and emotional differences and needs—a relationship that ends up being optimistic, supportive and nonjudgmental in a story told with whimsy and humor. This book is highly recommended for its message and it art as well. Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books for providing this ebook for review.

Liken the surreal touch, water colour style in a Himalayan style setting. Like the message of the narrative which is friendship no matter how different two people are...they might still share a strong bond. Surprised and delighted it actually contains multiple narrative.

I loved this book! It tells about the relationship between Yak and Dove. The story is whimsical and uses some surprising vocabulary. The illustrations are also beautiful.

I love Esme Shapiro and her unusual and adorable illustrations. As soon as I saw she had a new project out I wanted to check it out immediately. Ooko is one of my kids' (6 yo & 3 yo) favorites, they are intrigued by the fun narrative and cute animals. Yak and Dove does not disappoint, Shapiro's illustrations are lovely and lend themselves to Kyo Maclear's story. I love the subtle expressions the animals make. It took some time to adjust to the narrative which is a back and forth dialogue between characters. The first time I read through the book it was very clunky and I didn't immediately realize there was continuity between the three stories. After a second and third readthrough I found the dialogue to be much smoother, the digital copy I read had differing fonts for each character to help keep track of which character was speaking. Themes of friendship are always fun to discuss with my kids, Maclear explores what makes friends get along, what friends do for each other, and how friends can have things in common and have differences all at the same time.

Overall, a cute story with beautiful illustrations.

Yak and Dove is about the friendship between two very different animals who actually have a lot in common. From the first page I noticed the similarities between this book and the Frog and Toad stories - the writing style, "short story" format and theme of friendship. I did like the contrast of Yak's and Dove's size which was charming in the illustrations.

Cute story of two friends-Yak and Dove. Not too difficult a read for beginning readers. I'd think fans of Mo Willems will enjoy this story. The story seems similar to ones hes written. Love the illustrations!

I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
This is the story of Yak and Dove who wondered if they could be twins. They are so different there is no way they could be twins and maybe they shouldn't be friends. They go their separate ways in search of a new best friend. In the end, it turns out they may not be twins but they are pretty good friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books for providing me with an advance copy to read and review.

This book was hilarious from start to finish! 'Yak and Dove' had such a great concept and pretty illustrations.

Yak and Dove are best friends until their differences come between them. Can they learn to accept each other for who they are?

It's divided into three parts and is all dialogue, which I found refreshing. The font is distinguished enough between each character's voice to easily follow along. I liked that this book was longer than the standard for picture books - I think the story would have had less of an impact if it had to be cut down.

I also like the message that being friends with someone - or just interacting with someone - means accepting their differences as well because nobody is perfect. This whole book made me think of the Maya Angelou quote, "We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike." Also, the use of the word "horticulturist" might be too advanced for a picture book, but that could just be me.

Great story, lovely characters, interesting structure, immersive storytelling, wonderful illustrations. Yak and Dove is absolutely a book to add to your reading list.

'Yak and Dove' is set to be released September 19, 2017.

[Blog Tags: book reviews, characters, children's fiction, NetGalley, picture books, reading, storytelling, Tundra Books, writing]