Teddy & Co. by Cynthia Voigt

Teddy hopes it doesn't rain.  He really, really hopes it doesn't rain.  He can't go outside when it rains and he loves exploring.  It's too bad his friends don't feel the same way...

Knopf's Books for Young Readers and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published November 1st.

Teddy has a house he shares with an elephant.  Teddy has no legs.  The elephant has stitches from being patched.  Everyone is this community is a toy and almost all have been damaged in some way.  That doesn't stop them from having fun.  They take walks together, picnic together and help each other out when someone needs it.  They get along just fine.  But Teddy has big plans, if he can just talk them into it. He wants to go further than they've gone before.  He wants to explore.

After a while he gets a group that will go exploring with him.  He can't go anywhere without the elephant because he has to travel in a wagon and he must be pushed.  However, the elephant is a real good cook and makes muffins.  That increases the number of participants.  The exploration is successful.  They find they live on an island. That takes care of part of Teddy's burning desire for knowledge but he finds another quest to dream about shortly.  

In the meantime, a fancy doll shows up.  She tells them she's the queen and they are her subjects and starts creating rules.  She also tells them to build her a palace.  They do, but they're already beginning to revolt.

This is a sweet tale for young ones that is full of fanciful ideas and interesting characters.  There's a ceramic pig that is painted with little flowers.  She lives with another bigger pig that is stuffed.  The penguin is made of wood.  If they can get along, we all ought to be able to get along, too.  The illustrations are precious.  Take a look; I bet you'll take it home.