Everything Is Connected

Gr 1-3–Gruhl depicts interconnectedness, starting off with how a person’s body and organs are connected to create an individual. The text moves on to how family members, friends, and strangers form a community. The narrative scope is magnified as he zooms out and summarizes how animals, religions, and the universe are also all connected. More importantly, the author reminds readers that they are all connected to the good things in life (playgrounds and bicycles), but also to the bad things (chicken pox and bullies), not to mention lies, greed, and pollution. Though the message is good, it’s unclear what the author intended the reader to gain with the meaning. The book simply ends with the reminder that everything is connected. Gruhl’s rhyme scheme helps make the book flow and definitely relates to the message of connection; but the lines often don’t read perfectly, as the rhyming scheme changes or is at times dropped entirely. And with the way the book is laid out, most readers won’t realize they are reading a rhyming book until midway. Illustrations give the story a modern graphic novel feel. Font’s artwork is minimal but fun, and the line that goes through each page from left to right is a subtle touch that reinforces the theme.