Book Review: The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen

Book: The Dark
Author: Lemony Snicket
Source: Jon Klassen
Published: 2013
Source: Local Library

A little boy is afraid of the dark and takes every possible measure to guard against it. But one night, his nightlight blinks out and the dark starts to talk to him . . . but not for the reason you’d think.

Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen, why have they not teamed up before? Snicket tones down some of his literary elaborateness and Klassen’s sharp-edged drawings, with plenty of negative space for the dark, make this a story about fear and friendship that you’re sure to remember.

Reading Roundup: July 2013

By the Numbers
Picture Books: 9

Sources
Library: all

Standouts
Writing: Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Chad Cameron
This starts out like every fall book ever, until you notice that some things are not where they're supposed to be. I can't wait to try this on our storytime kids.
Illustration: Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise by Tomie dePaola
While it's not for everyone in its unabashed religiosity, the art in this one is top-notch. Flowers, animals, and people in the signature dePaola style (additionally influenced by native Mexican art) spill over the pages in washes of color.
Overall: Boy and Bot by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
A boy and a robot make friends. When trouble appears to occur, they each respond lovingly and in their own particular way to take care of their friend. Yaccarino's solid shapes and strong colors bring both characters to life.

Because I Want To Awards
Dark and Twisted, Just the Way I Like It: That is Not a Good Idea! by Mo Willems
With a menacing wolf, a dewy-eyed duck, and a gosling Greek chorus of doom, this book was already making me grin by the time I got to the twist. Then I laughed out loud, because I'm sort of sick like that.
Would Like to See How a Teacher Uses This: A Call for a New Alphabet by Jef Czekaj
Filled with contemplation of how letters go together to form sounds (particularly combinations like ph or qu), this one seems made for teachers to use in class.