Review Detail

One little girl draws a picture of her family for her teacher. But the girl doesn't love her drawing. She thinks she can tell more about each person by using objects. She tells us her dad is jumpy like a spring, playful as a top, as much fun as a party favor, and stubborn as the knot in a rope. She puts them together, and . . .ta da!! The new portrait of her father shows a man with a top for a nose, springs for eyebrows, etc. She goes on to compose portraits of each member of the family, including her stinky dog.

As enjoyable as seeing, and hearing about, the girl's funny interpretations of each member of the family might be, there's a lovely message deep in the heart of the little girl (and of this book): Her family is special, and she loves them.

Kids will get a kick out of the story, and they will love the challenge at the end, complete with instructions, on making portraits of their own family.

The book's endpapers are just plain wonderful: portraits of family members made by children and teens with cancer.

Very highly recommended.