The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors

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Author(s)

Drew Daywalt

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Adam Rex

Publisher

Balzer + Bray

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

April 04, 2017

ISBN

978-0062438898

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From New York Times bestselling creators Drew Daywalt, author of The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home, and Adam Rex, author-illustrator of Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, comes a laugh-out-loud hilarious picture book about the epic tale of the classic game Rock, Paper, Scissors. You’ve played the game. Now read the legend of how it all began . . . Long ago, in an ancient and distant realm called the Kingdom of Backyard, there lived a warrior named ROCK. Meanwhile in the Empire of Mom’s Home Office, a second great warrior sought the glory of battle. And his name was PAPER. At the same time, in the Kitchen Realm, in the tiny village of Junk Drawer, lived a third warrior. They called her SCISSORS. These three were the strongest, smartest, and fastest in all the land. Time and again they beat the most fearsome opponents they could find: an apricot, a computer printer—even frozen, breaded, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets! But when the warriors finally meet each other, the most epic round of battles begins . . . and never ends. That is why, to this day, children around the world honor these worthy adversaries by playing ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!

You’ve played the game. Now read the legend of how it all began . . .

Long ago, in an ancient and distant realm called the Kingdom of Backyard, there lived a warrior named ROCK.

Meanwhile in the Empire of Mom’s Home Office, a second great warrior sought the glory of battle. And his name was PAPER.

At the same time, in the Kitchen Realm, in the tiny village of Junk Drawer, lived a third warrior. They called her SCISSORS.

These three were the strongest, smartest, and fastest in all the land. Time and again they beat the most fearsome opponents they could find: an apricot, a computer printer—even frozen, breaded, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets! But when the warriors finally meet each other, the most epic round of battles begins . . . and never ends. That is why, to this day, children around the world honor these worthy adversaries by playing ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Thought-Provoking Perspective

April 16, 2017 (Updated: June 26, 2026)

Overall rating

4.5

Plot

4.0

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

'The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors,' written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Adam Rex, is an enjoyable play on the game of rock, paper, scissors. The rock, the paper, and the scissors, all coming from different parts of the house, both inside and outside, all feel that nothing is challenging them. So they seek out anything that will be able to defeat them. It is interesting that their goal in the story is defeat, but it truly shows how not everything is necessarily as it seems. When anyone plays a game of rock, paper, scissors, they most likely want to win, and it is doubtful that they ever are happy about losing. Yet this is what each of the items wants - to feel the pain of loss so they will understand and be able to empathize with all that they have conquered before.

Even though the plot is interesting and stems from a refreshing and unique viewpoint, infusing a regularly played game with a fun backstory, the story often went on too long in parts. It could have been pared down a bit to make it a little easier for kids to engage with since it would have been quicker to read.

Adam Rex's illustrations showcase the strengths of each of the three main characters and permeate the text of the story with more meaning as readers see the truth behind each character's thoughts and actions.

Much like Jon Scieszka's 'The True Story of the Three Little Pigs,' the story shows a different side of what everyone thought could only be thought of in one way and turns it on its head. It can open up some thought-provoking dialogue about understanding different perspectives among those who read it.

Good Points

Much like Jon Scieszka's 'The True Story of the Three Little Pigs,' the story shows a different side of what everyone thought could only be thought of in one way and turns it on its head. It can open up some thought-provoking dialogue about understanding different perspectives among those who read it.