Down Here

January 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-"Everyone is good at something," begins this intuitive story about perspective. With an artistic cat-drawing sister and a dramatic storytelling brother, Jamie is a little brother whose main talent is big messes. His mother constantly chides him for the chaos, clutter, and utter pandemonium he creates, but Jamie sees secret hideouts, spaceships, roller coasters, and magic castles. It isn't until he stands on a table and views his masterpieces of domestic detritus that he sees what his mother sees. This change in vantage point gives him the idea of inviting his mother inside one of his creations. With eyes opened wide, his mother finally realizes his true talent and hugs him tight, saying, "You will be a great builder someday!" The subtle message of how something as simple as a few inches can be the difference between dismissal and understanding is a valuable one for both parents and children. Malenfant's artwork expertly supports Sherrard's message by depicting the mother only from the knees down until the final spread, when Jamie invites her into his wildly wonderful imaginative world. VERDICT A powerful work about interpretation and how truly imperative it is to both allow children the freedom of expression and to praise their individual talents.-Jenna Boles, Greene County Public Library, Beavercreek, OH

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