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Monday, December 21, 2020

Who Is the Mystery Reader? By Mo Willems. Hyperion Books for Children, Hachette. 2019. $16.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Where is the Mystery Reader?

So fast. 
So 
mysterious. 

I like reading. 
It is a
superpower!
"

I've been in my basement lately, sorting books and filling bookshelves again after a flood in the summer. In trying to make it easier for my granddaughters to access those books when they can visit again, I decided that one of the things I would do would be to make horizontal piles of books written by some of our favorite authors. Little did I know that Mo Willems would take up two whole shelves! We love his books. Now, I have another to add to the ever-growing pile. 

Who is the Mystery Reader? is the second book in the Unlimited Squirrels series. The Table of Contents tells readers that there are jokes, stories and a tale end upcoming. Readers are reminded that EMOTE-ACORNS that will pop up when the squirrels are experiencing BIG feelings. Then, on to the fun! 

A sign stymies the gathered squirrels as they are not able to read it. Inconspicuously, one leaves the frame. A turn of the page reveals a masked squirrel's approach with the suggestion that they just do their best to read it. Impressed by the costume worn, they recognize the MYSTERY READER.

What follows is another outstanding book that is full of laughs. There are four stories, separated by three sets of 'a-corny' jokes, sure to be repeated as often as they are tolerated by others. Kids will think they are brilliant in presenting them. It is perfect for readers moving up the ladder toward true independence. Mystery Reader is always there when support is needed, with wonderful physical comedy, surprising disappearances and reappearances, and recruitment of new heroes. 

As he did in the first installment in this series, Mo Willems combines fiction, fact, and all things funny in a book that will excite old fans of the Squirrels and invite new readers to the party. The speech bubbles for dialog make it perfect for shared reading, thus upping the fun. You want personality? Turn to these tiny creatures to provide a good helping. Will readers discover the identity of this new superhero? Not sure, but who cares? Isn't life better when there's some 'mystery'?

Anyway, who can resist a squirrel in underpants? 

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