"The Adventures of Birpus & Bulbus" by Michael Albanese is a delightful picture book that takes young readers on whimsical journeys with two brothers living in the Forest of Fine Repute. Through their adventures, the story explores themes of friendship, kindness, and acceptance. Albanese’s engaging narrative and charming illustrations make this book a wonderful read for teaching important values while capturing the imagination of children.

I have to talk about this book as two separate entities. Let’s start with the story. The story is a simple one, but it’s not well done. The start of the book feels like it’s the middle of the story and there seems to be so much extra wording with no explanation. It’s like half of what the reader needs to know is missing. The story is not very successful. However, the illustrations are another matter. The illustrations are interesting. I feel this illustrator could really have a career in picture books with more experience. There are parts to the illustrations where they don’t feel done or not 100% complete but it’s almost perfect and I would like to see more. However, the illustration for the cover is the worst illustration. I would change this out. The type set used is not very readable as it always looks fuzzy. The illustrator has direction and could be the next big thing, but the writers need lots and lots more practice.

Hmmm… A book doing what you've seen done countless times before, this has two siblings running from a dragon, and after a respite with the grandparents, or whatever this world calls them, running from the same dragon all over again – until they finally get caught… I guess a three-eyed dragon who snorts sour milk breath over everything is novel, and the agency given to the comfort blanket one of the lads uses is a decent touch, but in visuals and story this is utterly unremarkable. Stumble across it, be gifted it – don't worry, it will distract for a few minutes, for sure. But little else. Two and a half stars.

We enjoyed reading this adventure but it wasn’t one my four year old has asked to repeat. I might try it again when he is a little old but he didn’t gravitate to the story.

a really cute children's story about new friendships and the unexpected! I loved the illustrations a lot, especially for the Tree Wee’s homes and the foods they like to enjoy - those were really creative as well.

A cute little story with silly nonsensical words in a whimsical forest.

I feel like the made up words would be slightly difficult for younger children to try to learn to read but the story is a little simple for children a little older who would be okay with sounding out the words.

Though with some of the little rhyming words, I guess the idea is for the story to be read out loud to younger children.

I love the illustrations in the book and the lesson behind the story. Just not a fan of the way it's written. A fun book to be read aloud in a classroom but not one I'd buy as a gift for a child.

**Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for access. All opinions are my own.

An adorable book with a lovely twist at the end. A great way of sharing the moral advice, not to judge a book by it's cover. The completely new lingo all the way through, with new foods, creatures and locations is a good way to encourage thinkers and ask questions for understanding. As a teacher, I would definitely be sharing this book with different classes. The Illustrations are amazing, and colourful and really bring the words to life.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review

had so much fun reading this book, the story is so adorable and the illustrations were so well done and charming, there’s so many little details in every page that I couldn’t stop but be mesmerized by it all. I will definitely be recommending it! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

Birpus and Bilbus are being chased through the woods by a "Sour Milk Dragon" and finally escape by using a rope ladder that mysteriously appears. The ladder leads to their little woodland village in the top of the trees. Birpus and Bilbus talk go their grandparents (I guess they are siblings or cousins), have a snack, then go back out to play bringing with them an anthropomorphic blanket. They again meet the Sour Milk Dragon who chases them around the tree, but they quit running and discover the dragon actually just wants to play with them.

The Adventures of Birpus & Bulbus feels like it picks up in the middle of a story. Like the first few pages are missing, or something. You are dropped into the middle of the chase, with no idea who or where these characters are, or why they are being chased. The artwork is interesting, though I'm unsure if I like it or not. The story feels choppy and the text is full of alliterative and/and rhyming names, such as Nester Nook, Granny Cranny, Nobby Lob-lolly. I think the author is trying to be clever, but it feels forced and throws off the rhythm of the story.

Overall I would say this is a perfectly OK book with a clear message of friendship.

It such a cute book and well illustrated.. it's gonna be fun if I read this along with my child. It can be an encouraging story for the children to be brave and to be good to each other and to think that don't judge someone rushly.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing the eARC in exchange of my honest review..

I loved this clever, creative story as well as the fun illustrations. What a great way to encourage imaginations. Thanks #NetGalley