Review by Booklist Review
Since the day he was born, Junior Junior has lived across the valley from his echo. Conveniently, his echo has always agreed with all of Junior's very important opinions, from how smart Junior is (the smartest) to just how annoying all the other kids are. When a new neighbor moves in who doesn't always agree with Junior, he thinks it's the perfect time to meet up with his echo in person, but their playdate makes him reconsider how much fun you can have with someone who just echoes what you believe. Echo is an entertaining story with an important lesson. While the protagonist is loud and forceful, his new neighbor exemplifies the fact that confidence and self-assuredness can be quiet, too. Rex's eye-catching illustration style, slightly reminiscent of characters in Pixar shorts, is full of comical emotion. Echo is sure to resonate both with kids who see themselves in Junior Junior and those who have had to deal with a Junior Junior.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this socio-emotional picture book, young Junior Junior finds a seemingly ideal friend in the echo that bounces off an adjacent mountain near his high-altitude home. When he shouts approbations such as "JUNIOR JUNIOR IS THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD!" the echo immediately agrees. Then a real kid, Sandy, moves in next door; not only does she refuse to echo Junior Junior's inflated sense of self, she also calls him out when he's wrong. Flummoxed, Junior Junior runs away to hang full-time with the echo, embodied as the child's doppelganger. But the echo's constant agreement soon becomes tiresome, and the child realizes it's more fun to be with someone who challenges and engages. "I'm glad you're here," Junior Junior tells Sandy after offering an apology, and when Sandy reflects those exact words back, he learns the importance of having an authentic mirror. Astutely recognizing the universal allure of constant validation, Rex (Tumblebaby) employs a slyly comic narrative and sculptural digital drawings to nudge readers toward a greater truth: real reciprocity thrives on the perspective that everyone brings to the table. Characters are portrayed with pale skin. Ages 4--8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Mar.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
Junior Junior, a young boy with blond hair and ruddy cheeks, lives on a rugged mountainside. He enjoys shouting self-affirming songs into the valley and hearing "Junior Junior is the greatest in the world!" echoed back by his only friend, an agreeable, unseen boy who lives across the valley. An unflappable girl named Sandy moves in next door and tells Junior to stop shouting; he is dismayed by the newcomer's lack of interest in his brilliant chants. Salvaging his pride, Junior boasts that one day he will travel to the brightest star in the night sky. Sandy matter-of-factly states that his "star" is actually a planet, specifically Mars. Skeptical Junior expects Sandy to apologize for her inaccuracy, but she remains resolute: "There's nothing wrong with being wrong...I admit it when I am." Humiliated, Junior resolves to run away to be with the boy across the valley. But spending time with his echo is less rewarding than Junior anticipated. Rex's (On Account of the Gum, rev. 1/21) digitally painted illustrations incorporate dramatic speech bubbles and command light and shadow to create a moody atmosphere, a reflection of Junior's temperament. Rex smartly avoids didacticism in favor of employing humor to highlight the social skills of respectful disagreement and admitting when you're wrong, making Junior's plight both pertinent to our time and timeless. Emily BrushMarch/April 2025 p.56 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Junior Junior's only friend is the echo across the rocky canyon from his house. Junior and the echo didn't initially hit it off; when he hollered his first word--"MINE!"--an argument ensued. But in the years since, an agreeable conversation has persisted between the two. When he declares, "Junior is the greatest in the world!" the echo reiterates the sentiment, enthusiastically. When a new girl moves in next door, Junior finds her less amenable, especially when she argues with him, pointing out that what he thinks is a star is in fact a planet. Upon realizing he's wrong, Junior calls the girl an idiot and runs away to play with his real friend, the echo, who resembles Junior and does exactly what he does. It's fun, until it's not. Junior wonders suspiciously if the echo truly agrees with him. Setting pride aside, Junior reluctantly ambles home to admit his fault, ready to start fresh. Rex's deliciously colorful digital pastels burst from the page, anchored by majestically moody landscapes. Junior, the echo, and the neighbor are pale-skinned, expressively highlighted in neon hues, bathing each character in a playful, glowing aura of light. The result is a valuable message that's masterfully (and hilariously) conveyed without being heavy-handed: It's OK to be wrong, and it's OK to disagree with a friend. A quirky, relatable, and visually spectacular emotional journey.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
