Once Upon a Rainy Day

July 1, 2015
A ravening wolf, several potential victims, a wild chase, an ambush, and a spectacular reversal of fortune make for an exciting tale-even when all the characters stay home due to bad weather. At once metafictive and interactive, the plotline is presented as a recurring story that runs its preordained course whenever its "keeper," Mr. Warbler, steps out of his cottage to set the Big Bad Wolf to chasing a "delectable" pig, a clever hare, and a flying squirrel with a hot air balloon into the house of a former circus bear. This last blasts the predator out through a giant trumpet and so sends him away limping and muttering. That's how the story goes on sunny days, at least. But today it happens to be raining-so though the narrative provides a blow-by-blow account of narrow escapes and lickety-split action, none of the cast, from keeper on, ever actually appears in Manceau's deserted scenes of blocky, buttoned-up houses and geometrically tidy woodlands. No matter: with or without drawing materials, young readers will have little trouble conjuring up suitably colorful figures and dramatic tableaux of their own to superimpose on the backdrops. When, finally, the sun comes out, the narrator's closing assurance that the story can now "start for real..." ends the exercise on a droll note. Another playful imagination-stretcher from the author of Look! and Tickle Monster (both 2015). (Picture book. 6-8)

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August 1, 2015

Gr 1-3-Another creative, metafictional picture book from Manceau. Once Upon a Rainy Day asks: What happens to a story when it rains and the characters stay home? In his signature collage and pen illustrations, Manceau takes readers step-by-step through a story "that starts over every day, each morning the same way." Ordinarily, Mr. Warbler walks into the forest to wake the Big Bad Wolf, which in turn sends the wolf chasing smart pigs, who then escape on a hot-air balloon, and so-on and so-forth, through a series of whimsical events. But this time, rain keeps Mr. Warbler home, which in turn prevents the usual series of events from unfolding. While the story told is entertaining-a cause and effect Rube Goldberg-esque tale told with iconic characters-the main strength is its philosophical question. It's a meditation on narrative and time-if a story is told in the forest, while the characters aren't present, is it really happening? The text builds a narrative that is in purposeful conflict with the illustrations, a visual "what if." While not all kids will enjoy or fully appreciate this title and it will likely even take adults a few readings to understand, it's a clever and unique offering, perfect for sharing and discussing one-on-one over the course of a rainy day. VERDICT Though not for everyone, this metaphysical exploration of story and character is thought-provoking and joyful.-Lisa Nowlain, Darien Library, CT

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