Most Marshmallows

February 1, 2019
A confection of marshmallows harbors quixotic dreams of greatness."Most marshmallows don't grow on trees," starts this understated story. With quiet humor, the text informs children that, like them, "Most marshmallows are mostly born to one sweet parent or two," and that "They go to school most mornings / and learn to be squishy and how to stand in rows." Most marshmallows seem to navigate with equanimity the realities and dramas of domestic life, like a bursting backpack or a dinner tantrum. "But some marshmallows somehow secretly know / that all marshmallows / can do anything / or be anything / they dare to imagine." The inventive, sly, mixed-media illustrations provide wit and delight only hinted at by the spare, idiosyncratic prose. A mixture of paper collage, photographs of objects (like a cardboard dinner table loaded with plastic carrots), and hilariously expressive line drawings on real marshmallows pack beauty, tension, and drama into each page. An unnecessary throughline involving dragons slightly mars the overall feel of the story, especially the jarring ending in which a marshmallow knight breathes fire at one; the humor and kid appeal work perfectly without that bit of pandering.An amusing, subdued story with exemplary illustrations, this sweet flight of fancy will find a young audience eager to devour it. (Picture book. 3-7)

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January 28, 2019
Marshmallows, with their uniform appearance and soft outlines, make fine stand-ins for average citizens. Watkins (Big Bunny) draws black hair on their heads, gives them big eyes that blink and stare, and in constructed mixed-media sets, supplies them with winsome furnishings, books, and food made of cardboard, construction paper, fabric, and sprinkles. “Most marshmallows don’t grow on trees,” the text begins. “They go to school... and learn to be squishy and how to stand in rows.” Crucially, though, some marshmallows resist conformity. They “somehow secretly know that all marshmallows can do anything”: perform in circuses, explore outer space, move beyond what they are told is possible. Following one’s dreams is an idea well worth celebrating, and so is appreciating a world’s details. Close-ups of this marshmallow universe—the lawn flamingo, the infant mallows growing out of acorn cups, the solemn classroom diagrams of how to recover after being squished—will draw readers back for another look. Ages 3–5. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio.

April 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 1-This book forgoes a narrative arc in favor of celebrating the lives of children with simple and familiar sentiments. "They celebrate birthdays. They watch TV. They go to school most mornings." The twist is that marshmallows stand in for the children. This is mostly conveyed through detailed found-object tableaus and occasionally in the text. "Most marshmallows don't grow on trees or come from storks or even Mars. Most marshmallows are mostly born to one sweet parent or two." Each phrase is illustrated with a photographed intricate collage of marshmallows placed in scenes and interacting with found and created objects that reinforce the text. The scenes consist of marshmallows, construction paper, cake sprinkles, cardboard, acorn tops, twist ties, pencil, and "whatever else was needed." There's lots to talk about and look for in the images. While adults will respond better than children to the message ("But some marshmallows somehow secretly know that all marshmallows can do anything or be anything they dare to imagine."), everyone will enjoy the sweet images. VERDICT An engaging, quirky read-aloud perfect to share with crafts and maker programs.-Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2019
Preschool-K Ironically, Watkins (Big Bunny, 2018) sidesteps saccharine sentimentality by casting his newest offering entirely with marshmallows. Simple text?just a few words per page?gently walks readers through typical young marshmallows' daily lives. Most of these confectionery stand-ins for human children go to school, watch TV, are forced to eat their veggies, and so on. But, as the recurring most foreshadows, some dare to use their imaginations and know that anything is possible. This familiar, empowering message is lifted to new heights by Watkins' extraordinary illustrations, in which he builds scenes from marshmallows, construction paper, cake sprinkles, acorn tops, and more. The result is splendid and smile-inducing. The marshmallows themselves sport pencil detailing, cute accessories, and wide-eyed, youthful expressions. The scenes grow more fantastic and dreamlike as the concept of imagination enters the story, giving way to impressive seas, a circus of high-flying treats, and a fire-breathing dragon. All told, this sweet book will delight and offer young readers a charmingly offbeat reflection of their own experiences.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)