Common Sense Media Review
By Susan Faust
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
A brand-new buffalo rocks his sib's life in charming style.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
A happy buffalo finds his routines disrupted in BUFFALO FLUFFALO AND PUFFALO. That's because a "brand-new" buffalo baby suddenly arrives, demanding necessary attention. A creature of habit, Fluff enjoys eating, playing napping, wandering, and pondering on his own time. Enter the "yelly and smelly" but "tiny bit cute" Puff to rock Fluff's world. At first surly, Fluff is won over as he mentors the persevering Puff on how to trot, play, avoid red ants, eat the right plants, and cuddle up for a nap. A bond grows, and Fluff comes to see that "life is better with Puff at his side."
Is It Any Good?
An older sibling meets the arrival of a brand-new sibling with mixed emotions in a charming picture book that relies on buffalo as stand-ins for children. Candor is a hallmark in Buffalo Fluffalo and Puffalo. Fluff resents the disruption caused by Puff and turns surly before allowing himself to enjoy the pleasure of mentoring. The comical-looking buffalo, set in a lovely prairie habitat, illustrates the point that life is about change and adaptability. As the back of the book jacket states, "Change can be tuffalo when you are a buffalo." It's fun to watch as Fluff gradually discovers his own capacity to care about someone other than himself. He turns sweet in the process. Older siblings will identify with Fluff, and younger siblings will identify with Puff, as both remember that life is better together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Buffalo Fluffalo and Puffalo and think about why the elder Fluff might react negatively to brand-new Puff at first. What makes Fluff change his attitude?
Do you have siblings? If so, are you younger or older? Do you relate to the way that Fluff treats Puff at the beginning and then as time goes by? Or do you relate to the way Puff depends on Fluff to learn and grow?
There are no people in this story, but the buffalo act just like people. How does that work for you?
Have you ever changed your mind about something that seems bad at first but then turns out to be good? Can you give an example?
This story is told with playful language. Do you like to make up words or poems or stories? Can you give an example?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Erin Kraan
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Farm Animals , Wild Animals ) , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( Elementary School , Preschool ) , STEM ( Nature ) , Travel
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Studio
- Publication date : September 30, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : November 25, 2025
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