Violet the swan is brash and bighearted; Winston the duck is bumbling and sweet. They are the best of friends despite being very different birds. Through the three episodes in this endearing picture book, their fondness for each other helps them overcome some terrifi cally silly challenges.

Husband-and-wife team Sonya Sones and Bennett Tramer loosely based Violet and Winston on themselves, and they then recruited their friend Chris Raschka to create their avian alter egos. The result is a joyful kid-pleaser in the tradition of George & Martha and Frog & Toad.

This book is on these lists:

• January 2012 Indie Next List
• December 2011 Indie Next List
• November 2011 Indie Next List