The Perfect Seat

September 16, 2019
A dapper moose and rosy-cheeked calf leave a bookstore eager to read, but they struggle to find a place to perch in this well-paced story. Faced with a procession of imperfect seats arranged in opposites, they mount a search (“Too Big” sees them small within a café’s giant armchair, “Too Small” finds them perched uncomfortably on a fire hydrant). Lê offers some lighthearted comic variation to the formula, as the adult spins on a tire swing (“Should the perfect seat make you this dizzy?”), and as two sit on opposite sides of a bench that spans both pages of a spread (“Too... Wide”). Gordon’s mixed-media illustrations in grays and greens create a comfortable mood just right for lap reading, and readers can follow the two seat seekers via an endpaper map. Though the end is no surprise, this one is just right for the story time set. Ages 3–5.

November 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 1-A young moose calf asks an older stylish moose, in a sweater vest and fedora, for a story-but first they need to find the perfect seat for reading aloud together. Thus starts a Goldilocks-esque quest as the companions try out various seats in the city only to find that none are suitable. The bicycle is too rough, the slide is too slippery, the train is too crowded, and so forth. Ready to give up, the moose sits at the base of tree in a park and the two realize they have found the ideal spot to read. Hand-lettered text of brief and precise prose, is spot-on for very young listeners. Illustrations crafted using watercolors, pencils, crayons, and touch of collage convey a subtle whimsy. The bright red book, to be shared by the companions, is on every page and stands out against the mostly light green, gray, and blue pages. VERDICT A perfect pick for sharing aloud in almost any seat in the city.-Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2019
Reading aloud is a wonderful shared activity for a father and child. But what or where is the best chair? Dapper papa moose, dressed in a fedora and sweater, agrees to read a story to his young one. But then the quest begins for the best setting. Size, condition, texture, type, and location all present problems. They are about to give up when a picture-perfect location is found under a tree in an urban park. Lê's little story, a sort of metafictive prequel to the act children and caregivers are engaging in in reading this very book, is delightfully presented. Gordon's watercolor, pencil, crayon, and collage illustrations in soft shades of greens, browns, and grays illustrate each of the possibilities with gentle humor. Each opposing possibility is presented on a page or sometimes two, subtly controlling the pacing: "Too Funky. / Too Fancy" or "Too Old. / Too New." Readers will find themselves lingering over the choices. Some of the options are familiar: "Too Big. / Too Small" (an imposing and far-from-cozy sofa; a fire hydrant). Some are less so: "Too Rough. // Too Slippery" (a bumpy bicycle ride; a slide in the park). A street map of the town on the endpapers, including its trees and lakes, along with a music-loving squirrel add to the fun. There's more to storytime between a parent and child than book selection. Closeness and comfort certainly count. (Picture book. 3-6)

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October 1, 2019
Preschool-G It's true you can read almost anywhere, but where is the perfect place to share a book? As two moose leave a bookstore, the younger one excitedly asks, Can you read to me? The older moose says yes but wants to find a comfortable spot. A coffeehouse sofa is too big, a fire hydrant too small. Reading while bicycling is too rough, while the top of a slide is too slippery. Simple, uncluttered illustrations are rendered in watercolor, pencil, and crayon, with small black-and-white collage elements adding a fanciful touch to L�'s (Drawn Together, 2018) story, as does a squirrel reading in a tree, mice inviting the moose to tea, and animals playing all the roles in this urban setting, from a pig doorman to a hippo on the train. A map on the endpapers allows readers to trace the route taken by the two moose as they search the town. Finally, while walking through a park, they find it! The perfect place to sit and read is right there, under a shady tree.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)