Reviewed by: Are You a Cheeseburger? by Monica Arnaldo Kate Quealy-Gainer, Assistant Editor Arnaldo, Monica Are You a Cheeseburger?; written and illus. by Monica Arnaldo. Tegen/HarperCollins, 2021 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780063003941 $17.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-7 yrs Grub the raccoon is rummaging for a late-night snack in the trash when he meets Seed, who’s looking for someone to plant him. Seed doesn’t know what he might grow into, but Grub figures it must be some kind of food, so he sticks little Seed in the dirt hoping he’ll eventually grow some cheeseburgers. While they wait for Seed to reemerge, Grub serenades Seed with the banjo and reminisces about the best cheeseburgers he’s ever had, but Seed becomes increasingly worried that he might not in fact be a burger. When he eventually sprouts and then blooms, there is no bun, meat, or cheese, a disappointing turn for Grub; fortunately, the bushy-tailed bandit decides the flowers are just as great (if not edible) as burgers and even decides to try his paw at gardening. Audiences will guess early on that Seed is no fast-food starter, but they’ll nonetheless enjoy the clever banter between the new friends and the literal visual feast the illustrations offer up, as grass sprouts tacos and French fry weeds, and donuts and pizza bloom in flower shapes in several of the book’s dreamier pages—even the sun is a hamburger at one point, complete with lettuce and sesame seeds. The watercolor, pencil, and ink art makes effective use of composition as well, with closeups of Grub’s contemplations effectively conveying his curiosity and doubt, while rhythmic curves emphasize Seed’s growth. Aspiring botanists and young foodies will appreciate this quirky little tale. Copyright © 2021 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois