snacks and do crossword
puzzles.
"Time for bed, off you go!"
says Bo.
"I DON'T WANT TO!
says Koko.
"Stay here then," says Bo."
This wonderful book brought back memories of my mom, our kids' Nan, and made me sad that my granddaughters did not have the chance to meet her. Bo reminds me of Nan and her parenting style. She was not one to argue with us much. I know she thought we would learn from the decisions and mistakes we made along the way. I hope I instilled some of that in my own kids.
Koko has a look of contrariness right from the get-go. You can see that in the face presented to a much older companion, Bo. Koko's favorite response is 'I DON"T WANT TO' whenever a suggestion is made. Readers are witness to a series of small moments in the relationship between the two. Koko's demeanor does not change. Bo accepts Koko's various decisions with deference. Each double page spread shows the encounter on the recto side, faced by the engaging text on the verso. It is a winning design.
Helicopter parents will have difficulty in the way they perceive Bo's responses. However, it is evident from Bo's love for the child that there will never be a time when Koko is in danger. After a four hour play at the park, Koko refuses to leave. Bo goes home ... or so Koko and the reader think. We can only assume that awareness for Koko's safety is front-of-mind, if covert. Bo is never seen watching. When Koko arrives home after dark, a lesson has been learned.
"It was dark by the time the doorbell rings.
It is Koko.
Koko wants to come in.
It was boring staying out alone."
Bo offers a sandwich.
So it goes with bedtime; waking up late having missed a prepared breakfast; taking a coat, in case of rain and cold, to do their grocery shopping. You know how little ones feel about being trapped in a shopping cart. The two are separated. An announcement lets Bo knows where Koko is. Retrieval happens when the shopping is all done. It turns out that Koko has landed in some trouble. Allowed to make a choice about paying for the items in hand, and not making the best one, summons store guards. OOPS!
The design of the book is square. The illustrations fill its pages with details never verbalized. Beautifully colored in simple form, they are also expressive and will hold attention as the book is read.
Julie Danielson at http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/ says in her review that this book is 'a breath of fresh air.' J'agree!
No comments:
Post a Comment