Over the Hedge, 3 (Paperback, illustrated edition)

In the delightful strip Over the Hedge, R.J., a mischievous raccoon, and his best friend Verne, the philosophical turtle, notice the suburban sprawl that's encroaching on their woodland home, but decide to stick around anyway. While they've given up some of their pristine paradise, the pair has been rewarded with the addictive booty of modern living: big-screen TVs, hot tubs, Twinkies, and hours of fun wreaking havoc with the local homeowner's association.

Created by Michael Fry and T Lewis, Over the Hedge mirrors the life of many suburbanites in America today, those folks who want to retreat from the city and commune with nature, but can't give up the comforts of suburbia. As R.J. and Verne hilariously demonstrate by fly-fishing for hot dogs off backyard barbecues, it is possible to have it all.

Over the Hedge 3 proves the point. Consider many of Over the Hedge's lovable and laughable situations, such as when Verne crashes the Internet by e-mailing his Spam and potato chip pie recipe to seven million people. Or the time Nate and Norene, R.J. and Verne's human neighbors, go camping to be closer to nature, not realizing that the wildlife they want to be near has moved, standing room only, into their vacated living room watching Hogan's Heroes. Or the sweet scenario when R.J. and Verne discover, as they look out over a peaceful valley, that maybe people are looking for all the wrong things in all the wrong places.

Together, Fry and Lewis have devised a delightful strip in Over the Hedge that pleases readers who treasure its genial humor and gentle convictions. Over the Hedge 3 is certain to be a wildly successful book!