Blackout
by: John Rocco
Disney Hyperion Books
Ages: 4-8
2011
Summary: It is a hot, summer night in New York City, and everyone is busy, busy, busy! There is TV to watch, phone calls to make, and emails to write! Then, all the lights go out. Finally, everyone can see the stars in the sky, can play in the streets and eat ice cream, and, most importantly, can spend time together without distraction.
The good: The text of this book is simple, which is good because the real focus should be on the pictures. Not only could they tell the story independent from the text, but they are also kid-friendly. What do I mean by kid-friendly? From all those years babysitting, I have learned what pictures catch a kid’s attention and which ones are ho-hum. Disney usually knows what they are doing, and this book is no different. Another noticeable feature is that so much of this book is dark, but with patches of light from candles, flashlights, and stars. This creates a unique palette that communicates the unexpected excitement of staying up late, playing in the streets, and hanging out with the whole neighborhood. Do you have any blackout memories from your past? I have several memories of the power going out when I was little. I remember it was always hot and miserable, but I loved lighting candles and playing in the dark. All the busy tasks that everyone was unable to tear away from lose significance and time just slows down. Anyway, this is a fun read and a good reminder to step away from busy tasks every once in a while to spend some time with people you like.
The rating: 7
Up next: Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the creatures by Katherine Paterson. Chronicle Books, 2011.
Filed under: Mock Caldecott
