The Cucumber Squad

“The Cucumber Squad – the title says it all! Here, in a house in the forest, a very special community of residence is created, consisting of lovingly designed and deliberately exaggerated animal figures. Pig, rabbit, bear, beaver and zebra are each outstandingly individual. The motley group is gloriously imperfect, yet highly functional for each other. The range of idiosyncrasies borne by the cheerfully chaotic community extends from pronounced anxiety to obsessive-compulsive disorder and hyperactivity to tormenting homesick depression.
Leslie Niemöller moulds the experiences of this diverse household into a feel-good book for pre-readers, first-time readers and second-time readers. The humorous and sensitive way in which the book deals with strengths and weaknesses successfully bridges the gap between comprehensible language and simplicity appropriate for the target group on the one hand, and poetic aspiration and aesthetic challenge on the other. With wordplay and situation comedy full of punchlines, Leslie Niemöller invites young readers, as well as older readers and listeners, to laughter fits, to which the tongue-in-cheek illustrations by Liliane Oser contribute significantly. The short story is an artful children’s literary social metaphor for successful inclusion.”- The Jury of the German Children’s Literature Award

“There are books that warm your heart. Just like this one! The little friendship story, which is simply told and yet has a fine – and definitely adult-appropriate – wit, evokes a bit of Janosch nostalgia, but still comes across as dewy-eyed. The themes of diversity and togetherness are taken up in a wonderfully effortless way and the cheerful illustrations, short chapters and large font make it easy to read [it] both as a read-aloud and for the first time.” – Stiftung Lesen

“A beautiful and comforting book about the fact that, despite all our differences, we are less alone together.” – Anja Wasserbäch, Stuttgarter Zeitung

“A really enjoyable book.” – Ute Wegmann, Deutschlandfunk