Just a story

Extolling literature's transportive properties, this picture book follows a child who discovers a magical purple tome at the library. As the brown-haired kid sits, absorbed, turning the book's pages, surprising characters begin appearing in the inclusively populated library. After narrowly missing capture by two pirates and a hungry lion, the young reader is "almost trampled by a herd of wild elephants/ and then almost stomped on/ by a big baby dragon," with wilder characters successively wreaking havoc. After the child leaves, hand in hand with a caretaker, another walks by with an elderly guardian and notices, then begins reading, the purple book. The motley fantastical cast reappears, emphasizing the universality and transcendence of a good story. Mack's cartoon illustrations include fun details (the elephants have scooters and patterned helmets) and bold color choices that impart a sense of modernity. A gently humorous reading adventure. Ages 3--7. (Sept.)

Is a story ever just a story? A small boy with pale skin and a mop of messy, brown hair sits on the floor of the library, reading, when suddenly, pirates climb out of a floor tile and are about to capture him. Luckily, before that can happen, a lion appears and scares the pirates. Unfortunately, the lion is poised to eat the little boy, but then "a herd of wild elephants" (on scooters and wearing helmets, naturally) comes careening through, scattering both the pirates and the lion. Mack's expressive cartoon illustrations heighten the drama as the little boy (seemingly unfazed, still reading) is put in more and more danger. A giant, green foot stamps down, narrowly missing the boy--does it belong to a dinosaur? No, it's a big, drooling baby dragon's. And of course, in keeping with the absurd humor, a "belly-flopping blue whale" comes next. However, what is the scariest thing in this litany of ever increasing peril? A possible kiss! The little boy slams the book shut, instantly restoring order to the library. But when a new reader, a young brown-skinned tot, opens it, all of the characters crowd back into the frame, ready for their parts. The imaginative power of a story brought to life. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.