Review - Paolo, Emperor of Rome

Paolo, Emperor of Rome
by Mac Barnett
illustrated by Claire Keane
Date: 2020
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

A daring dog takes a whirlwind tour of Rome in search of freedom.

Paolo the dachshund is trapped. Though he lives in Rome, a city filled with history and adventure, he is confined to a hair salon. Paolo dreams of the sweet life—la dolce vita—in the Eternal City. And then, one day, he escapes! Paolo throws himself into the city, finding adventure at every turn. Join our hero as he discovers the wonders of Rome: the ruins, the food, the art, the opera, and—of course—the cats.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm really not a fan of children's books in which dogs run away and never return home. Sure, that might be a happy ending for a dog... but it could be a terrifying prospect for a kid who loves their furry companion.

The language in this book is also a bit mismatched with its audience. I don't think young children would understand a good deal of what's being said. At times, this almost reads like a book for adults:

The cat hissed and swiped her claws. Pain spread across Paolo's face. He had been cut, and deeply. But rather than flee, Paolo stood and barked. The cat, frightened by Paolo's indifference to injury, disappeared into the grass.

Paolo hopped from column to column till he stood upon the tallest. "I am Paolo," he said. "The biggest among you has scratched my cheek, and I did not flinch. Will any other cat challenge me?"

The cats were cowed.

(I can already imagine parents having to explain to their kids that, no, the cats were not turned into cows.)

The illustrations didn't impress me much. Rome looks scribbly.

I haven't had a lot of luck with Mac Barnett's books. I know his stuff is popular... but I'm just not seeing why.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Review - Just Because

Just Because
by Mac Barnett
illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Date: 2019
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Curious minds are rewarded with curious answers in a fantastical bedtime book by Mac Barnett and Isabelle Arsenault.

Why is the ocean blue? What is the rain? What happened to the dinosaurs? It might be time for bed, but one child is too full of questions about the world to go to sleep just yet. Little ones and their parents will be charmed and delighted as a patient father offers up increasingly creative responses to his child’s nighttime wonderings. Any child who has ever asked “Why?” — and any parent who has attempted an explanation — will recognize themselves in this sweet storybook for dreamers who are looking for answers beyond “Just because.”

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Though this might look like a book for children, it's not. It's for adults, aimed at those who already know the answers to lots of basic questions and can appreciate the creativity of the answers in this book. Children are often credulous. A book like this will only serve to confuse.

A little girl is going to bed, and she asks all sorts of questions of her father. His answers are fantastical and imaginative... but they're not truthful. I can just imagine the embarrassment and feeling of betrayal when a child tries to tell their teacher, "My dad says the ocean is blue because fish sing sad songs and cry blue tears," and is subsequently told that daddy lied.

The illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault are kind of fun (especially for fans of her work). The limited colour palette is kind of an odd choice here, though, since the story is dealing with such... well, colourful ideas.

I don't think I could recommend this as a children's book. If adults want to read it, they might get more out of it. But I think it would be confusing as heck to many children.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Review - Circle

Circle (The Shapes Trilogy #3)
by Mac Barnett
illustrated by Jon Klassen
Date: 2019
Publisher: Walker Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Multi-award-winning, New York Times best-selling duo Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen deliver the final wry and resonant tale about Triangle, Square, and Circle.

This book is about Circle. This book is also about Circle's friends, Triangle and Square. Also it is about a rule that Circle makes, and how she has to rescue Triangle when he breaks that rule. With their usual pitch-perfect pacing and subtle, sharp wit, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen come full circle in the third and final chapter of their clever shapes trilogy.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I think maybe I'm missing something. I didn't think this one was that great. It had me engaged right up until the end, but then it got really juvenile, the book almost screaming, "I'M A CHILDREN'S BOOK!"

Circle, Triangle, and Square play hide-and-seek. Circle has a rule that nobody's supposed to go behind her waterfall, but of course one of her friends does, which necessitates a rescue operation. They find more than they bargained for in the space behind the waterfall, and I was eagerly flipping the pages until... there just weren't any more pages. We're left with a rather unsatisfying ending.

The pictures are okay. I did like the waterfall. The shapes are basic, but they're basic shapes; there's not a lot you can do with an anthropomorphized circle, triangle, and square.

Maybe I would've gotten more out of this book if I'd read the first two in the series. It seems like it should be able to stand on its own. But I'm not sure if it really does; I'm left feeling like I missed something important.

Thank you to NetGalley and Walker Books for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Review - Telephone

Telephone
by Mac Barnett
illustrated by Jen Corace
Date: 2014
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

It's time to fly home for dinner! In this witty picture book from award-winning and bestselling author Mac Barnett, a mother bird gives the bird next to her a message for little Peter. But passing messages on a telephone line isn't as simple as it sounds. Each subsequent bird understands Mama's message according to its own very particular hobbies. Will Peter ever get home for dinner? This uproarious interpretation of a favorite children's game will get everyone giggling and is sure to lead to countless rereads.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is a funny depiction of the classic game of Telephone, with a bunch of wacky birds doing their best to pass on their message. The birds are anthropomorphized and have hobbies, so each time the message is passed along, it changes in a way particular to the messenger. It's a cute idea, made even better by the adorable illustrations. How can you not smile at a little blue jay rocking out on his electric guitar?

How will Peter ever get the correct message after it's passed through the minds and mouths of so many silly birds? The answer is quite simple (but clever); I'll let you discover it for yourself.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Rules of the House

Rules of the House
by Mac Barnett
illustrated by Matt Myers
Date: 2016
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

Ian always follows the rules. His sister, Jenny, breaks them all the time—especially "Don't pinch." So Ian is thrilled when the house where his family is vacationing posts a tidy list of rules. But when Jenny breaks them all, the house itself decides it's time for payback. The rug, the stove, and the bathtub are hungry for rulebreaker soup, and they've found the perfect ingredient: Jenny! Now Ian is faced with a thorny question: What if saving your sister means breaking the rules? From the New York Times best-selling team of Mac Barnett and Matthew Myers comes a hilarious tale of sibling rivalry, moral complexity, and disgruntled monsters, perfect for sharing with your own favorite rulebreakers.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

So, as far as I can tell, the moral of this story is: be an anal little toady, follow the rules so hard you never have any fun... and then break them so you can save your annoying, helpless older sister.

I don't really understand who this was supposed to appeal to. The pictures are really well done, but some of them are downright scary. The message that it's okay to lie isn't a great one for little kids, either. But the story is so juvenile that it probably won't appeal to older readers.

What a weird little book.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5