Title: RAYMOND THE BUFFALO
Author: LOU BEAUCHESNE
Illustrator: KATE CHAPPELL
Genre: CHILDREN’S FICTION, CANADIAN AUTHOR
Themes: FRIENDSHIP, LOSS, COME TO LIFE, TRANSITIONAL PICTURE BOOK, EARLY CHAPTER BOOK
Length: 48 PAGES
Publisher: ORCA BOOK PUBLISHERS
Received From: NETGALLEY
Release Date: MAY 11, 2021
ISBN: 9781459826175
Price: $19.95 CDN / $19.95 USD
Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DESCRIPTION:
Raymond is a brave, strong and hairy buffalo. Gilbert is a quiet, growing and not-at-all hairy boy. Raymond is the hero of Gilbert’s favorite book, and Gilbert brings his favorite book everywhere. When an unfortunate incident separates the two, Raymond finds himself in a very unusual situation—outside of his book and loose in the local library! There’s nothing for Raymond to do but wait for Gilbert to come find him. But as the days turn into months and months into years, Raymond has to be brave and make a new home in the library shelves and a new friend in the librarian, Nicole.
This adorably illustrated picture book celebrates the love we have for books and the strength of friendship.

MY REVIEW:
RAYMOND THE BUFFALO is a terrific tale, written as an early chapter book.
The story is about a boy named Gilbert who, for years has taken his favorite book with him wherever he goes. That book is called RAYMOND THE BUFFALO and it is from Raymond’s point of view the story is told.
One day, Gilbert discovers (like every young boy I have ever known) the wonderful world of dinosaurs. Gilbert’s mother takes him to the library where he borrows several dinosaur books.
When Gilbert’s mother grabs all of the library books to return them, she inadvertently drops off Raymond’s book as well.
Raymond somehow finds himself outside his book and he meets the friendly librarian and discovers the wonders that exist in a library.
Author LOU BEAUCHESNE has crafted a wonderful story of love, friendship, and loyalty as well as pointing out the wonderous world of the local library.
Raymond may be a buffalo, but he is also a terrific help to the librarian, staying inside his book when the library is open and re-shelving books at night.
The Publisher of RAYMOND THE BUFFALO is my favorite children’s book publishing company; ORCA BOOKS. Even their logo (a killer whale) is gorgeous and I love that they are based in Canada.
I rate RAYMOND THE BUFFALO as 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and I recommend it to readers ages six to ten.
This book would make a fabulous gift for teachers, librarians, and booklovers, in addition to every child aged six and up.
Thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lou Beauchesne is an author and illustrator of over twenty books for young readers, including La princess cowboy and La guerre des suces.
She began writing and illustrating small books that she sold to her neighbors and has been doing this ever since.
Lou writes and draws from her home in Quebec.
To learn more about this author, visit the following links:
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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
Kate Chappell is a freelance illustrator living and working from her home in Lincolnshire, UK.
She graduated from Falmouth University with a degree in illustration in 2013 and uses a mix of traditional textures and digital techniques to create fun, dynamic characters and illustrations.
Kate has created art for Google, Stella Artois, Nespresso, Dove and many others and tries to include elements of humor in her work whenever possible.
To learn more about this Illustrator visit the following links:
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