Catch That Cookie!

K-Gr 2—Children in day care and elementary classes will see themselves in Small's sensitive and hilarious watercolor, ink, and colored-pencil renderings of Durand's December drama. Following a weeklong spate of gingerbread stories, Marshall, a "ginger" himself, is skeptical: "'They can't run for real,' he told everybody." Neither affirming nor contradicting him, the teacher simply shepherds her flock to the kitchen, where they can draw their own conclusions. Despite a few colloquialisms that may sound less hip in years to come ("You rocked that dough"), the upbeat narrative moves quickly and offers audience participation. When the dumbfounded teacher unlocks the oven, the only hint of baking is a nearby note displaying the first of four rhymed verses that present clues for children to complete before searching for the next hint. Marshall is loaded with freckles and personality. His face undergoes myriad transformations as he studies the mounting evidence: the fallen raisin, the bad handwriting on the notes, the hundreds of tiny, brown footprints in the gym. When he solves the puzzle and recovers his cookie, his expression of wonderment is priceless. Small employs muted, monochromatic backgrounds to spotlight the jaunty patterns and colors worn by the main characters and multicultural cast. He interprets this race to outsmart a sly opponent with lively lines, flexible figures, humor, and deep respect for his protagonist. Add this to your small shelf of truly special seasonal explorations of belief, but don't wait for a holiday to share it!—Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library