I can't even lay!
I got a cramp in my
arm from sawing!
My car won't start!
I need that bike!
Give me that thing!
No way!"
Camper and Clam provide an enthusiastic invitation for readers to join in a celebration of friendship and happiness. Their story begins in a wash of warm yellow, meant to signify the sunny state of that friendship. Things go awry when Camper indulges in eating an entire cake that Clam has baked. Camper offers thanks, but no apology.
Thinking the book is done, Camper is surprised to discover a door. Passing through it, he enters The Sad Book. a place that Clam describes as 'where I go when I'm not feeling happy', and introduces a friend, Trombone. Clam voices the sadness felt at not being able to share the cake. Trombone commiserates with sadness of its own. Camper cannot fathom staying put in such a place. Clam cannot imagine being back in The Happy Book.
Camper is furious with the turn of events and creates a brand new book that helps to explain how he is feeling.
"The Angry Book
"Oh, hello, Clam. This is MY new
book and MY new friend, Wet Hen.
Bawk bawk bawk!"
Washed with red, and filled with angry dialogue between the apparent friends, it concerns Clam who asks Camper why he is so mad.
"I'm angry that I can't make
you happy and scared we
won't be friends anymore."
What a dilemma, and what a winning way to show young readers the depth of emotions felt in just one small burst of time. Moving from anger to fear, their world turns green. While there, the two discover that being together makes the world brighter and less frightful. In a parting note, the five friends plan a feelings book to showcase the ways they feel about all that has transpired.
The cartoon-like illustrations add interest and pertinent details that will encourage discussion. They add humor, and allow kids to think about their own emotions, and ways to let others know what they are feeling. They are energetic and playful, with the speech bubble dialogue that kids love, thus providing for shared reading with early readers taking individual parts.
A terrific readaloud!
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