“BOY WONDERS,” by Calef Brown, Atheneum, June 28, 2011, $16.99 (ages 4-8)
Calef Brown brings a child’s unceasing inquisitiveness to the fore in his latest picture book, “Boy Wonders.”
“Are you ever perplexed? Completely vexed? Do you have questions? Queries? Odd theories?”
When the boy in this book isn’t wondering, he’s pondering, and his mind is always wandering. There are just so many things he needs to know.
Such as:
Do bees get hives?
Do onions cry?
Is water scared of waterfalls?
Do clouds get jealous during storms, and steal each other’s thunder?
Do sleepwalking lumberjacks hunger for slumbersnacks?
Do giraffes have high pitched laughs?
Are crabs befuddled when plans get scuttled?
All these questions can leave readers rattled, but never you mind, there are answers to be found by tossing more questions around.
Brown’s rhyming questions are fun on their own, but when paired with his unique style of illustration, they really come to life. Brown brings personality to everything from rain clouds to gargoyles, and he does it with flair. Bright colors and unique creature are sure to catch young readers’ attention and serve as a great conversation starter for all the questions they might have tumbling around their heads.
