I purchased this book based on the NY Times review, but immediately regretted it after the first read.
Make no mistake; this is a beautiful book full of wonderful illustrations and lovely prose. It's a work of art backed by an excellent production company. I thought that it was excellent. But my 5 year-old's response? "Daddy, this book is really boring!"
There's no story. There are several great allusions/allegories (dinosaur mass extinction followed by the flowering of new life on earth as an example of how one can start over - a gas joke based on astronomical phenomena) - but most small children aren't going to pick up on them. The cleverness loses its impact when you have to spend far more time explaining the joke than it takes to read it. My daughter will appreciate this more if she reads it in a few years - but by then she probably won't be reading picture books very often.
There are a lot of "cool aunts" who are going to feel great about buying this book for their nieces and nephews. But the message that they want to feel good about getting across (and there is a good one in this book) is going to sail right over the heads of most of the intended audience. It's a little too carrot stick and not enough cheeto, if you know what I mean.
Since I've had a small child I've come to realize that most of the new critically acclaimed children's books that come out each year are catered to what parents want their kids to appreciate, as opposed to what the kids will actually enjoy and pay attention to. Buy something from Mo Willems (or another author who does a good job of seeing the world through a child's eyes) instead - your children will thank you.
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Customer reviews
Nice illustrations, terrible book. It feels like there was zero effort made. There are definitely better children’s books that convey this message more effectively.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2020
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Z. khan
Nice illustrations, pointless not a story book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 9, 2020
Z. khan
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 9, 2020
However this is the most boring book ever . My 4.5 yr old who has books each night lost interest in the second mage . It’s not a story book . For children to try and understanding what’s the words saying you would need to go into it a lot more. I’m really disappointed I pre ordered it was also late , wanted something lovely for starting school
Maybe this book can be used for older children to discuss what’s happening in the picture, but not a story and not for young children
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