Bat and Rat by Patrick Jennings, illustrated by Matthew Cordell
There are just so many things I like about Bat and Rat by Patrick Jennings and Matthew Cordell. I've been sitting with this book for a while now, reading it at story time over and over, poring over the details of the wonderful artwork, overcoming my fear of singing in public and wondering just what the song that Bat and Rat compose sounded like in Patrick Jennings' head as he wrote it and in Matthew Cordell's head as he illustrated it. I really, really don't like to sing in public. I will do it for kids, but I get very self conscious when their parents can hear me too. Nevertheless, there are a few great books that must be sung. Like Eric Litwin and James Dean's Pete the Cat. Maybe Jennings and/or Cordell will record themselves singing "My Favorite Favorite" some day. Until then, we have a fantastic book trailer for Bat and Rat with a jaunty little tune composed by . . . But, I'm getting ahead of myself.
Rat is stuck on a lyric for a new song Bat has written so the two head out for a cold, creamy ice cream on a hot night, Rat's treat. Mosquito Ripple! Mint Fly Chip! Butter Beetle Pecan! So many favorite flavors! Bat can't decide so he gets them all. What kid (or adult) hasn't fantasized about getting a scoop of every favorite flavor? A sad, but pretty funny, mishap leaves Bat with only one scoop on his cone, as well as my second favorite illustration in the book. I had no idea an artist could render a bat with a look of such heartbreaking agony on his face, but Cordell does. However, after a bit of blaming and a bit more empathy, Bat copes with his loss and declares that his remaining scoop of ice cream is in fact his "favorite favorite." Hearing this, Rat knows the lyrics to her new song. And, she and Bat also realize that their "favorite favorite" thing is each other.

But, the coolest little book fact I have come across yet has to be this tidbit: In April of this year Cordell created his second book trailer ever, this one for Bat and Rat. With the help of Jennings he worked out the script and, at the last minute, Jennings' "also heavily-talented daughter, Odette, swooped in to save us with her sweet, jingly piano tune that goes perfectly with the song in the book, Favorite Favorite." How cool is that? A family affair! And a great book trailer - take a look!
Matthew Cordell has a great blog where he shares lots of sneak-peeks of what he's working on. Way back in April of 2011 he shared city scenes from Bat and Rat, although I didn't know what it was at the time...