Story of the Everything, the Nothing, and Other Strange Stories

Gr 3-5–In a set of 18 short stories, brought to life in imaginative illustrations, readers are taken on a journey ranging from the whimsical to the absurd. From the beginning, it’s clear that these stories are not typical narratives. Tales live on one page, opposite an Anthony Browne–like piece of surrealism that may or may not have anything to do with the text. These bear titles such as “Story of Nothing,” “The Story That Wasn’t There,” or “Story of the Impossible.” Some engage in delightful wordplay, while the “Unfinished Story” invites readers to complete what has been started. Fantastical stories of magical gardens, daddy-nagging goblins, and magic flowers are often followed by open-ended questions, such as “What kind of spell do you think they cast on me?” There is a drawback in the lack of connective tissue between stories; but if the collection lacks cohesion, that may be the point. This book’s strength may be in classroom use; this collection could serve as a resource for teachers as a discussion starter or as a basis for a writing prompt.