Mission

May 9, 2016
Hood and Lundquist reprise the conceit behind Mission: New Baby (2015) as they bring a secret agent sensibility to the “hunt for intelligence” (aka going to school). In numbered steps, Hood walks readers through the mission, which includes “#3. Meet intelligence officer” (that would be the teacher) and “#10. Report rogue agent” (a rabbit that has escaped its cage). Hood revels in these and numerous other puns throughout. “Watch out!” It’s a sting operation!” shouts one boy, as the spies-in-training “conduct fieldwork” by observing bugs outside (including a very active beehive). During recess, twins are “double agents” and a “high-level meeting” is held atop the playground’s climbing dome, all captured with warm humor in Lundquist’s watercolor-and-pencil illustrations. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

Starred review from June 1, 2016
In a clever take on the back-to-school theme, Hood presents the first day of school as a secret agent's mission, with steps to complete."Your mission? To begin the first phase of training in your hunt for intelligence." Step No.1 is to suit up. The story follows multiple kids. There's one searching the laundry for a favorite shirt, another who lost a shoe, and still another who wears every favorite piece of clothing at once--tiara, tutu, cowboy boots. Step 2: rendezvous at vehicle checkpoint. This includes those who are walking, biking, or getting to school by bus or car. The intelligence officer (teacher) hands out IDs (nametags), and then agents must build diplomatic relations (say hello in seven different languages, including Robot) and get debriefed (circle time). From subjects studied and school rules to the basic schedule and a mishap (an escaped class pet), the 19 steps pretty much cover it all, albeit in wonderful tongue-in-cheek secret-agent language that kids will really enjoy. Lundquist's artwork does the heavy lifting, as there is no text other than the steps and a few speech bubbles. The watercolor illustrations feature diverse children, a white male teacher, and even a set of twins (one wears glasses)--aka double agents. This will not only calm new students' fears, but give them a unique way to look at their own first days of school.Hood and Lundquist? Mission accomplished. And grown-ups with fledgling spies? Add some secret-agent supplies to your shopping lists. (Picture book. 4-8)

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August 1, 2016

Gr 1-3-Students are treated like special agents in this tongue-in-cheek training manual for returning to spy school. The vocabulary is rich, catering to budding espionage aficionados. But Lundquist's soft, friendly sketches balance out the intrigue by depicting normal school routines. Student agents "suit up" when getting ready for school and arrive and meet their "Intelligence Officer," a bespectacled yet youthful man. They "build diplomatic relations" when making friends and practice "decoding information" while sounding out words. When the whirlwind of recapturing a suspiciously furry rogue agent is over, they return home for their final reports. VERDICT Humorous details, diverse agents, and a full day's worth of elementary school fieldwork make this an excellent choice for students on the first day of school.-Jenna Boles, Greene County Public Library, Beavercreek, OH

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