The Manic Panic

PreS-Gr 2—In this import from India, a family becomes unplugged and discovers that virtual reality can be happily found outside. A familiar, relatable opening household scene shows Dad in the kitchen following a recipe on his tablet, while Mom stretches out on the sofa, working on her laptop. Mayhem ensues when the Internet suddenly stops working. While the grown-ups are in a technological tizzy, the little girl protagonist is "BRIMMING with ideas and plans for things to do." When her parents whinge and whine and lie supine on the floor in withdrawal, the child puts her foot down and is the voice of reason: "It is NOT the end of the world. The Internet wasn't even around when you were my age." Ananth's cartoon illustrations show the family enjoying low-tech activities outdoors together, like riding bicycles, playing soccer, and picnicking in the park. Children will enjoy the role reversal, and in a funny twist ending, the second-person narrator is revealed to be a mouse with a penchant for nibbling modem wires.