"Arnold tried everything.
"I wish all the books would reappear.
Except for the submarine one."
"ALAKAZAM!"
He even tossed a penny into the
classroom frog tank.
Nothing worked.
What had he done?"
Arnold has a very difficult time finding that his classmates are interested in books about tomatoes and ostriches; Arnold's full attention is given to his favorite book, The History of Flight. He has learned a great deal about propellers, wings, even landing gear. He is sure his friends would be fascinated if they gave his book a chance. He is perturbed at Naomi's passion for submarines. They are the polar opposite of everything he loves.
As he looks around the classroom, he becomes more irritated and buries his head deeper into learning as much as he can about planes and flight. He even whispers about getting rid of the tomato books. To Laila's surprise her book disappears. Arnold did not see that happen. Next, his wish includes ostrich books and POOF! one disappears from Milo's hands.
"Who needed those other books anyway?
Arnold was flipping and flying,
ooooohing and ahhhhhing.
He could practically feel
himself lifting off!"
His wishes eliminate every kind of book, but the ones about flying and submarines. One more wish; in quick time, all books in his classroom disappear. Arnold sees what he has done. What a disaster! Arnold does his level best to restore order. It is not to be. When he apologizes to Laila for the missing tomato book, and she tells him it reminds her of her amah, the book reappears to Laila's great delight. As he visits with his friends to talk about their books, the strangest thing happens; the books reappear.
Now, everyone can spend time together reading their favorite books. Who doesn't love that?
Dan Santat does what he does so well with digitally colored ink drawings, filling the pages with color, perspective, and humor. I like the change in color that happens when things go from the real to the imagined. Be sure to check under the jacket cover and take close note of opening endpapers.
This book points to the importance of reading in our lives, and how we make connections through sharing them.
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