Tek

Starred review from August 8, 2016
McDonnell (Thank You and Goodnight) plays fast and loose with the historical record in this playful cautionary tale about the perils of technology obsession. Tek is a cave boy with a beard—“everything was kind of hairy back then.” Although his father hasn’t invented fire just yet, he has invented the Internet, and Tek stays “alone in his cave room, glued to his phone, his tablet, and his game box, all day, all night, all the time.” The book’s design and dimensions mimic that of an iPad, complete with signal bars, a home button, and a (rapidly depleting) battery life indicator. Tek’s online time leaves him ignorant of life outside; he makes up names for dinosaurs such as flying idontgiveadactyl, and misses the sledding and snowball fights of the Ice Age completely. Only a volcanic explosion shocks him out of his stupor. McDonnell’s ever-cute creatures deliver the story’s tech-addiction message with a grin, and clever references abound, from the fish that crawls up on land and evolves into a fanged cat to the buffering icon that accompanies Tek’s “reboot.” Ages 4–8. Agent: Henry Dunow, Dunow, Carlson & Lerner.

McDonnell has a bone to pick with a young Stone Age gamer who won't leave the family cave.The Caldecott Honor-winning cartoonist takes an uncharacteristically curmudgeonly tone in this tablet-shaped book. Depicted, in black-framed, rounded-cornered illustrations designed to look like screenshots, in front of the stone TV with tablet and game controller to hand "all day, all night, all the time," Tek ignores the pleas of his huge dino best friend, Larry, and all others to come out. "You should never have invented the Internet," his mom grunts to his dad. Having missed out on evolution and an entire Ice Age, Tek is finally disconnected by a helpful volcano's eruption--and of course is completely reformed once he gets a gander at the warm sun, cool grass, and an "awesome Awesomesaurus." "Sweet." Afterward, in joyous full-bleed paintings, he frolics with Larry by day and reaches for the "glorious stars" by night. This screed is as subtle as a tap from a stone axe. James Proimos' Todd's TV (2010) and If You Give a Mouse an iPhone by "Ann Droyd" (2014) are funnier; Matthew Cordell's buoyant Hello! Hello! (2012) is more likely to spark a bit of behavior change. Tek and his parents are reminiscent of the Flintstones, with pink skin and dark, frizzy hair. The outing may earn a few clicks from hand-wringing parents; young digerati will roll their eyes and go back to texting. (Picture book. 6-8) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-Tek, a so-called "modern" cave boy, lives among dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. He spends all his time engaging with technology, and neither his parents, his friends, nor his tribe's leaders can get him to do anything outside the cave. Only when Big Poppa volcano erupts and destroys Tek's tech does the cave boy interact with the world. The book is cleverly designed to appear as though readers are viewing it on a tablet screen for most of the story; once Tek's devices are destroyed, the tablet-style borders on the pages disappear and the illustrations become full bleed. While the style and whimsy of the images are as charming as expected from this Caldecott honoree, the tone is less so; this offering feels more like a nagging finger wag about using technology than a fun Stone Age tale. McDonnell has overshot the satirical tone he appears to have been aiming for and instead comes off as another adult lamenting kids these days and their technology. VERDICT Though it's lovely to look at, this picture book misses the mark with its story.-Amy Koester, Skokie Public Library, IL

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2016
Preschool-G Once upon a time, way, way back, a long time ago, or maybe yesterday, there lived a little cave boy named TEK! Glued to his electronic gadgets, Tek's only utterance is UGH! when his friends want him to come out and play. He is so wrapped up in his phone, tablet, and game box all day, all night, all the time that he doesn't even notice the world evolving. Tek's parents and the village attempt to get Tek unglued. But nothing grabs his attention, except for Big Poppa, the village volcano, whose idea is guaranteed to shake things up. McDonnell blends the prehistoric with the present to send a clever reminder to young readers that beyond their electronic realm there is a world waiting to be explored. In an uproariously absurd plotright down to little Tek's caveman beardpages reflect the differences between Tek's technological world and the great outdoors, shifting from limited scenes set in a tablet format (complete with connectivity and battery icons) to colorful full-page illustrations. Good, snarky fun for parents and kids.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)