Surprise

Maud is a guinea pig who, for reasons no one can explain, wears a judo suit. Her outfit does not win over everyone she meets, and some of the creatures around her are uneasy about her.

When Maud finds herself in an unfamiliar and bewildering situation, she must make bold choices and rely on chance meetings to work out where she belongs. Along the way she learns to accept the things that set her apart.

Zadie Smith and Nick Laird, both established writers for adults, wrote this picture book together, and it is their first book for young readers. Magenta Fox, a newcomer, provides the illustrations and makes her debut here. The book is aimed at children and grown-ups alike.