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Thursday, January 15, 2015

A Perfectly Messed-Up Story, written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2014. $19.00 ages 4 and up

"PLOP!
JELLY AND
PEANUT BUTTER!

AUGH!

THE CHUNKY KIND!

HEY! HEY! HEY!"

When you read on the copyright page that 'no pages were harmed in the making of this book', you will have difficulty believing that it is true ... and kids will, too! The messes made to create the engaging artwork are so realistic, I found myself wanting to reach out and touch the pages. What fun!

Louie is the type of lovable and appealing character who looks as if he belongs in a perfect picture book; that is his take on the situation as well. So, imagine his concern when faced with the splatter of jelly at the page turn. He smells it, he tastes it, and discovers that someone has been eating a jelly sandwich while reading his book. WHAT?

To add insult to injury, a glob of peanut butter lands on his head ... and it's chunky! Enough? Certainly not. Now, fingerprints make their appearance and finally, drips of orange juice.

His outrage is evident:

"ORANGE JUICE!

ARG!

MY
STORY IS
GETTING ALL
MESSED
UP!"

Can you imagine how much fun you will have reading this one? You know you will. I love it when he decides that the problem is solved and we should all try again; "Okay. From the top."
What could possibly go wrong?

Just when Louie is certain that his story is totally ruined, that no one will want to read his book, he is reminded that little bumps in life's path might just be the ticket to a great story!

Patrick McDonnell does a terrific job of creating a banal tale in the midst of chaos, with his tiny carefree narrator strolling along until faced with the superbly realistic messes created to add humor and evoke discussion.

I will surely read this one repeatedly!

                                                              


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