That's Life!

December 1, 2019
Life--personified as a wild, furry gray creature--brings many surprises in this picture book about loving your Life no matter what. A small, brown-skinned child sits at a table writing on a pad of paper when there is a knock at the door. Who could it be? "Oh, that's Life! Life happens when you least expect it." The child opens the crate, labeled LIFE, that sits on the doorstep. A furry gray creature jumps out, then drags the child on all sorts of adventures. Every conceivable saying about life is worked into the text ("Life's a journey"; "Life is full of surprises"). Life changes form throughout, becoming a means of transportation (a boat, a camel, a hot air balloon), a suitcase, and a bull with pointy horns ("Life can be tough. And sometimes...Life hurts!") Doerrfeld's visual interpretations of Dyckman's text are humorous, kid-friendly, and clever, featuring soft-lined vignettes of busy, active scenes on white space. The silly concreteness of the illustrations raises the intentionally cliché-packed text to a level of fun that will satisfy readers of all ages. Young readers will enjoy watching Life's ups and downs, and they just might internalize a true lesson or two about their own lives. Both a lighthearted reflection and an entertaining read. (Picture book. 3-8)

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December 9, 2019
In this idiomatic adventure, Life is an impish, furry, and highly mutable critter that, when it emerges from a mysterious crate (one that pops up “when you least expect it”), not only charges toward the young protagonist fast, but also adds a big, slurpy kiss. Life arrives with no instructions, of course, and promptly launches the protagonist on a whirlwind series of vignettes set against a white background—“You never know where Life’s gonna take you,” Dyckman (Dandy) writes as the two bounce from Lady Liberty to Pisa’s leaning tower. As the meaning-of-life clichés deliberately pile up—who knew there were so many?—it’s up to Doerrfeld (Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend!) to give them a visual boost; she accomplishes this through crayonlike digital drawings that are by turns semifigurative interpretations (in “Life is what you make it!” Life turns into a raft that takes the child for an exhilarating waterfall ride) and naughtily literal (for “Your whole Life can flash before your eyes,” Life moons the child). The mood is always upbeat—or, at the very least, maintains a “dust yourself off and keep going” attitude—with plenty of reminders that whatever life is, it is for sure one wild ride. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Scott Treimel, Scott Treimel NY. Illustrator’s agent: Rachel Orr, Prospect Agency.

March 27, 2020

K-Gr 3-A cute and fluffy gray creature, Life, guides a child through the unexpected and wonderful experiences that life has to offer. There are many important messages shared: life is weird; life goes on; life knocks you down, but if you shake it off, life can be sweet again. The vibrant and adorable illustrations of Life and the child help save this from being just a gift book full of clich�s. This title could be shared at a read-aloud featuring other inspirational message books like Peter H. Reynolds's Say Something. VERDICT Sure to be a choice for 2020 graduation gifts, this sweet but greeting-card stock story offers an alternative to Dr. Seuss's Oh the Places You'll Go.-Elaine Fultz, Oakwood City Schools, Dayton

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2020
Preschool-G When Life literally arrives in a wooden crate on the front porch, it's hard to know exactly what to do with it, but that's all part of the fun! In this case, Life is embodied by an adorably furry being with a penchant for mirth and mischief. Life's young, ungendered caretaker is at first astonished and then charmed by the creature's arrival, and they're soon following Life on all its adventures. The pair bounce from one life-related adage to another, each of which is comically illustrated?for example, Life gets messy is accompanied by a delighted Life covered in cake and frosting. The text includes almost every adage imaginable, but the ultimate message is that life, with its mix of the weird and wonderful, is always beautiful. Doerrfeld's soft illustrations are goofy and lively, capturing the energy and silliness of Life itself. A terrific reminder to readers of all ages that life, in all forms, is worth treasuring.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)