The book I was most looking forward to this year was Monica “ARE YOU A CHEESEBURGER?” Arnaldo’s MR. S.
Every bit of praise this book is getting is well deserved, but I’m feeling like all the attention is going to the big picture concept. Yes, the book is surprising and mind bending in all the best ways, and, yes, this might be the most real kindergarten in all of picture books, but I’m not sure anyone has written about just how good these kid characters are.
Monica Arnaldo’s work has always had a ton of appeal but these kids are next level. The kids (mostly) share a common silhouette, but each is so wonderfully distinct and distinctly wonderful. Look at these goobers!
And my favorite:
Skin, costume, expression, personality… there’s a masterclass covering those topics in this book. There’s also probably an essay concerning the tradition of drawing groups of kids in this way. I’m thinking of Mary Blair and her concept work for Disney’s IT’S A SMALL WORLD. Maybe another day.
For now, other ways this books is outstanding:
And then, of course, there’s the endpapers. But I’m not going to spoil that for you. Go out and buy this book. It’s incredible.
My 5yo was outraged by the end papers. Outraged, I tell you!
I cannot wait to see what the 5th graders think!
Ha ha! I love it. Your five year old would fit perfectly into that classroom, I think.
I’m sure one of your eagle-eyed fifth graders will see the sliver of a character at the end of the mustard splot on the back endpaper. I love that Monica has given us a hint at the length of the name. My vote is “Mr. Sandusky”.