Review - Our Kid

Our Kid
by Tony Ross
Date: 2017
Publisher: Andersen Press USA
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

"Go straight to school, Our Kid," said Dad. But unless a fish-driven submarine, dinopirates, and an elephant ride are the fastest way to school, Our Kid is not doing too well. This tour-de-force from the legendary Tony Ross takes you on a journey to school like no other and shows that sometimes the oddballs (especially of the goat variety) win the day!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Well, that was stupid.

The illustrations are okay here, and the story of a little goat who has an adventure on the way to school is somewhat entertaining. But the writing? That's a big fat NO. All the made-up words just grated on my nerves. The English language has plenty of words already; surely the author could've looked up some obscure--but real--ones if he really wanted the text to sound unique. How can I take a book seriously when the teacher calls his student "bravey"? No. Stop. Get out a dictionary and try again.

I'm not a fan of Our Kid's mom lounging around eating bonbons, either. Do we really need that sort of sexism in children's books? I think not.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 1/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.67 out of 5