Elem. – This is Not My Story

Uytdewilligen, Ryan. This is Not My Story. Illustrated by David Huyck. Kids Can Press, 2023. 978-1-525-30343-2. $19.99. 40 p. Grades K-5.

Once upon a time there was a brave space captain, only he was in the wrong story. So our plucky main character interrupts the narrator and asks to be put in a different type of story. The narrator tries various genres, each with a slightly different illustration style, but none of them are quite the right fit. Eventually our protagonist realizes he belongs in all stories and in all genres; in fact, he belongs in a story about different genres. An amusing meta exploration of various genres with delightful and clever illustrations by David Huyck.

THOUGHTS: A great book to highlight the differences between various genres. A handy guide to genres ends the book, with a clever challenge to find the stories we each love best. Younger readers will find the narration interruptions hysterical. Older students will like this creative take on genres with illustrations that occasionally employ graphic novel style elements.

Picture Book 

Elem. – This is the Path the Wolf Took

Farina, Laura. This is the Path the Wolf Took. Kids Can Press, 2020. 978-1-525-30153-7. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-3.

Big brother loves reading to his little sister, but the stories he imagines are never quite like the ones mom or dad tell their daughter. Rather than wolves terrorizing little girls, grandmas, and pigs, all the characters make friends and have ice cream. It seems big brother does not do scary. Happy stories are his comfort zone. But his little sister sees BORING where he sees safe. Faced with losing his audience, can he confront his fears and create a story that will entertain his sister? This rollicking tale, complemented by Elina Ellis’s comic illustrations, addresses every young reader who wriggles through suspenseful fairy tales, while sharing a sly wink with older, braver readers. They will recognize the stock staple elements of fairy tales, and giggle over how big brother reimagines each story to his peaceful satisfaction. When big brother finally ups his storytelling game, readers will be surprised at who is left with the feeling that something bad is about to happen.

THOUGHTS: A delightful look at fairy tale story elements, as well as addressing the fears of timid readers. Imaginative text pairs with delightfully humorous illustrations for a winner of a book, recommended for all collections serving young readers.

Picture Book          Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD