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Buffalo Fluffalo
Book
2024
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Author Notes
Bess Kalb is an Emmy-nominated comedy writer and the bestselling author of Nobody Will Tell You This but Me , a New York Times Editor's Choice. She wrote for eight years on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and has written for the Emmy Awards, the Academy Awards, and the 2020 Democratic National Convention. She is the head writer and executive producer of the WGA Award-nominated Yearly Departed , an Amazon Comedy Special, and is currently adapting Nobody Will Tell You This but Me into a feature film with Sight Unseen Pictures. She lives with her husband and two boys in Brooklyn. This is her debut picture book.

Erin Kraan is a children's book illustrator, woodcutter, and printmaker. She loves the process of carving her characters into wood and seeing how their quirky and whimsical identities come to life through the ink in the prints. Erin lives and works in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Fiction/Biography Profile
Genre
Fiction
Juvenile
Humorous
Topics
Self-acceptance
Buffalo
Self-confidence
Insecurity
Empathy
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Trade Reviews
Publishers Weekly Review
Alliterative rhymes tell a tongue-twisting tale of metamorphosis about a "snuffalo, scruffalo, surly old buffalo,/ Who was ever so snarly and gnarly and tuffalo." Buffalo Fluffalo repeatedly rebuffs friendly overtures from critters including a ram, prairie dog, and crow: "I heave and I huffalo./ Leave me alone because/ I've had enuffalo!" But after a storm rolls through and drenches the shaggy beast, the creatures discover that beneath the buffalo's prickly persona and puffy coat is an insecure "pipsqueak." When the bison tries to act tough again, the gawking creatures immediately reassure him: "You're great how you are, no matter your size." This moment of empathic community care helps the protagonist overcome his insecurities and abandon his bluster. Woodcut prints and scanned textures form the basis of Kraan's big-eyed animated cast as well as a transformative rain that amplifies Kalb's takeaway about inner acceptance. Ages 4--8. (Jan.)
Booklist Review
When a grumpy buffalo moves into a field, the animals living nearby stop to greet their new neighbor. Many offer kind words, and one even takes a handmade gift, but he rejects them all with the same rude, brassy retort, "I'm the Buffalo Fluffalo / I heave and I huffalo. / Leave me alone because / I've had enuffalo!" But after a fierce thunderstorm drenches them all, Buffalo Fluffalo's bushy fur falls limply downward, significantly decreasing his apparent bulk, his bluster, and his ability to bully others. Humiliated, he apologizes for his grumpy, hostile demeanor. He admits that without his fluffiness, he's "tiny and missable," but his new friends assure him that he's "hugly and snugly kissable." Reflecting and enhancing the tone of the story, the vibrant mixed-media illustrations are particularly effective in the dramatic storm scenes. Wordplay, rhythm, and rhyme add greatly to the fun of sharing this picture book with children, who will enjoy chiming in on the chorus, particularly on days when they too have "had enuffalo." Great fun for reading aloud.
Kirkus Review
What will happen when a surly buffalo has his cover blown? The book opens on a peaceful, sunny landscape dotted by trees, flowers, and a river. Turning the page, readers meet the Buffalo Fluffalo. The cantankerous creature glares fiercely at readers, his stylized, curly coat puffed out above small bovine feet. A ram, a prairie dog, and a crow each approach the Buffalo Fluffalo with overtures of friendship, but all receive--ahem--a "rebuffalo." He responds to each with a gruff "I'm the Buffalo Fluffalo--/ I heave and I huffalo./ Leave me alone because/ I've had enuffalo!"--a refrain rendered in a large bold text. But after a torrential downpour, the Buffalo Fluffalo is drenched; his fluffy coat plastered to his body, he's now a fraction of his former size. How will the other animals react? The rhythmic, rhyming verses take plenty of liberties with language and use lots of alliteration, resulting in a humorous read. Despite his aggressive stance, our protagonist is endearingly cross-eyed, and the art exploits the comedic potential of a character who hides behind a puffed-up appearance. Some may wonder why the other animals are working so hard to befriend such a relentlessly hostile character, but all the nonsense words and the complementary art are so appealing that readers will easily accept the sugary ending. Fun, silly stuffalo. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Summary
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Introducing a sweet and silly buffalo who tries to bluff and fluff his way into being bigger than he really is. This laugh-out-loud story by an Emmy-nominated comedy writer shows it's okay to be yourself.

I'm the Buffalo Fluffalo
I heave and I huffalo
Leave me alone because
I've had enuffalo.

Buffalo Fluffalo arrives on the scene puffed up with self-importance. Stomping around and raising billows of dust, Buffalo Fluffalo proclaims his superiority to the other creatures--the ram, the prairie dog, and the crow--who just want to be his friend. So Buffalo Fluffalo, who has had enuffalo , heads off to grumble to himself. Suddenly, a rain shower pours down from the clouds and--what's this? All of his fluffalo is a soggy mess! There Fluffalo stands, a drenched pip-squeak without his disguise. The other animals, who could see through Fluffalo's bravado from the start, circle around to comfort him. As prairie dog says with a smile in his eyes, You're great how you are, no matter your size .

Readers will find Buffalo Fluffalo's insecurity endearing and will be moved to reassure him. This humorous and delightful book encourages self-acceptance with a lighthearted touch.
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