Shortcut: A Mysterious Adventure Story About a Boy's Journey and the Chain of Events It Triggers

by David Macaulay

Albert and his trusty mare, June, set off early on market day to sell their melons in town, thus beginning a mysterious chain of events in a thought-provoking journey that exposes ordinary life as an intricate sequence of action and reaction.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Adventure, Friendship, Art

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

David Macaulay, born in 1946, was eleven when his parents moved from England to Bloomfield, New Jersey. He found himself having to adjust from an idyllic English childhood to life in a fast paced American city. During this time he began to draw seriously, and after graduating from high school he enrolled in the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). After spending his fifth year at RISD in Rome on the European Honors Program, he received a bachelor’s degree in architecture and vowed never to practice. After working as an interior designer, a junior high school teacher, and a teacher at RISD, Macaulay began to experiment with creating books. He published his first book, Cathedral, in 1973. Following in this tradition, Macaulay created other books—including City, Castle, Pyramid, Mill, Underground, Unbuilding, and Mosque—that have provided the explanations of the how and the why in a way that is both accessible and entertaining. From the pyramids of Egypt to the skyscrapers of New York City, the human race’s great architectural and engineering accomplishments have been demystified through Macaulay's elaborate show-and-tells. Five of these titles have been made into popular PBS television programs.

Reviews

[Aynur Aslanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was amazed how the writer points to various characters using few words and yet is able to deliver different storylines.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a man named Albert and his horse, June. On market day they load up their wagon with melons and travel to town. Along the way, several innocent actions have unintended consequences for other characters. We see the same story through several characters' perspectives. Patty's pig, Pearl disappears; Professor Tweet drifts away in his hot air balloon; and Bob is startled from his sleep as he is thrown from his boat. All seems headed for disaster, but will it work out in the end?
"Shortcut" could be used in a classroom to show how a story can be told from several points of view. There are also some good examples of how foreshadowing can be accomplished through details provided in the illustrations. For instance, we see June hitched to the railway switch in one illustration though no mention is made of the consequence until much later. I would also use this as a social learning lesson to demonstrate that our actions have many consequences both positive and negative, intended and unintended.

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn’t a fan of this book. There were too many parts where I thought, “Huh?!?” & “What is that a picture of?” & “Where did this random character/storyline come from?” I would not read this book to kids. I had to read it/look back through it three times. For a better “cause & effect” experience, listen to Joe Diffie’s song, “Third Rock From The Sun”!

And don’t get me started on the LAST PAGE. It took me a bit to decipher the so-called “cursive writing” on the last page! 🤯🤯 I had to check the author’s bio page to make sure he wasn’t a Gen Zer! Because that kind of “cursive” is what I’d expect from someone born after 2000 & never learned how to properly write in cursive…or even cross their Ts!

The 2nd star is for the cool illustration of June the horse with curlers in her mane & her hind legs up on a footstool, watching TV with Albert. And all 4 of her horseshoes are kicked off, too! 😂😂

[Helena Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This the story of June and Albert who go to the market everyday to get melons and the goal is to come back before dark. But what they don't realize is all their surroundings has a story so this book is divided into multiple different ones only interconnected by the illustrations itself. Observing images with care is the ultimate goal of this book in order to make sense of the stories and understand how they all tie together. It's a sort of cause and effect aspect that I think is great to introduce to children in order to draw their attention and work on their visual analysis. I enjoy the kind of illustrations that show multiple different things happening; it makes it appear as a mini world you have a complete visualization of it.

[Mario Flores · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though I was not too excited about this book, I must admit that I was really impressed to see that this book was an episodic picture book. Prior to reading this book, I had never read an episodic picture book. I will be honest and tell you that its episodic features did not grasp me as much as I thought that they would, but they did surprise me. The book was even split in to chapters, with each chapter covering a different story. The cartoon animations reminded me of the old "Arty" graphic narratives that I used to read in the library. I think that kids would love this book for all of the features that I just described.

[Mei Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shortcut by David Macaulay
review by Mei Chen

The whole book separates into ten chapter, ten little stories. And each of them has the connection, you will find some sense in the illustrations from the last chapter, it is a really interesting book. It explains to the audiences about what happened in that day, and why is that happening. I would recommend this book to children, this book is attractive, can bring them into the story, and they have to concentrate on the book to see what is coming next. The illustrations are clear, understandable, and colorful, children can feel they are reading comic books or a novel while reading this book, the theme is creative.

[Sam Weigert]

Longer picture book, that is broken up into chapters. If a student feels like they are reading for chapter books but is only first or second grade this could be a good transition book. The chapters are very short and easy to read, but it would be a good transition to Junie B. Jones or Magic Treehouse.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the pictures tell so much of the story! It is such a rich book with great illustrations.

[Kristen-Marie Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mis hijas y a mí nos fascina este libro. Literalmente descubrimos cosas nuevas con cada lectura. Es una muestra divertida de la interrelaciones de la vida.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun, creative book about 6 characters who all connect on one day in some way without meeting each other.

[Shivakukatla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how the stories are interconnected in the book and it's illustrations are marvelous 👏🏻👍🏻.
A good and quick read 🙂.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun book. Lots of little stories that all end up tying together.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fun and engaging. Through 10 chapters, each revealing a new character and perspective we follow Albert and his horse to market. Each choice they make along the way impacts the characters in the following chapters.
Reaad this book for a fun, mulitple perspective story.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Up one star for illustrations

[Beth Yordy · Rating 5 out of 5]

you begin to realize it all happened because of one incident.
loved the pictures and the whole thing made me smile.

[Beau Manglass · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book about the consequences of our choices.

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super fun read about friendly pigs, abandoned railroad tracks, and really good watermelons. It's a picture book in chapters and would be a great family read-aloud for everyone to enjoy. There are some surprises, so I won't say any more!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shortcut is an entertaining read for anyone. The book is broken up into brief chapters that introduce new characters as participants in the story. Their individual story lines show the narrative from their perspective (giving us multiple viewpoints to consider) and seem to be unconnected and unrelated with one another until the end when the plot unfolds and the reader can see the connections between the events and characters. This story shows how random events/things can cause other things to happen whether we are aware of it or not. There is a mixture of full bleed illustrations that bring us into the chaos while the border illustrations keep us viewing the images as an outsider, considering what the participants offer us. There are some close-up shots where we are pulled in and see the characters up close and personal (Professor Tweet on his ballon) and other images that keep us at a distance and show us the whole scene (Patty rowing Pearl at the end). One way the illustrator calls the attention of the reader is through the relative size of the character/participant. Showing a participant as small compared to the vast background shows the loneliness she is feeling (Patty is looking for Pearl at the beach). The story and illustrations (which have many little details to enjoy) leave the reader smiling until the end when everything comes together.

[Kelli Varich · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Shortcut" reminds me of a movie where there are a handful of characters in their own lives and no one knows they are connected until the end of the movie. The book has nine small chapters depicting life in a small town and each chapter revolves around one or two characters and their storyline -- unaware of the impact they're making on others. The first story is about a man and his horse -- Albert and June -- and their adventure into town to sell their melons. They did little things like untying a rope that was in their way to hanging a jacket on a sign giving directions that affected the fate of others in the story. The rope he untied let a hot air balloon free and the sign he covered resulted in a woman missing a shortcut.

Macaulay uses watercolor to portray the series of events. He also uses the same kind of formatting on each spread. On either the recto or verso, he will have a bleed with no words on the page. On the opposite page will be the illustration in the shape of a square surrounded in white on the page. Under this square will be the couple lines of text for the spread, and if it's a new chapter, the chapter number will go above the illustration. I didn't notice Macaulay over-using any colors to draw particular attention to parts of the story, but he did use a deep purple color often, usually as someone's shirt, hat, pants, shoes, or ribbons.

[Brianne Griffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Shortcut" is an action packed picture book that follows many characters and their overlapping stories. To figure out the connections between the characters children will have to listen/read carefully and investigate the illustrations. The characters are all unique and engaging. This picture book actually contains chapters and introduces different characters in each chapter. The book is presented in a vertical shape and the glossy illustartions are very detailed. In the double page spread, on one page the illustration is bled to the end of the page and on the opposite page the illustration is framed and centered. The background is white which contrasts with the bold media. It seems that the illustrations are done in water colors and the characters are displayed as cartoons. The endpages are a bright red that automatically caught my attention. The book contains an illustrational sequence that helps one follow along on each character's journey. The illustrator alters the points of view in each illustration. I looked down on some scenes, was level with others, and was placed below some of the scenes. Personally, I thought the story contained too many characters and too much was going on at once.

[Jazmin Maldonado · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Macaulay is a writer that engages the reader, not just to read the words on the paper but to think and retain what was written. Shortcut takes the reader on the everyday quests of people in town; Albert and June, Patty and Pearl, Sybil, Bob, Professor Tweet and Clarinda. Everyone's life is touched by each others without even knowing, for the better for the worse (like poor Ms. Sybil) or to meet someone new. Whether it was moving the rope, setting down a jacket, or throwing everything off a hot air ballon, its inevitable. Follow the wacky, coincidental journey everyone takes by chance. David Macaulay draws a reader in by the bright detailed illustrations. The pages contradict each other, with one side a full page bleed and the other framed by white borders, each signifying an important detail in the story. The opening page shows an illustration, mugshot rather of each important person in the story, already depicting the cleverness and humor this story holds. Shortcut was a great read. What starts with the simple daily task of one person ends with 6 characters experience and chaos in one way or another.

[Elijah Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shortcut by David Macaulay is a delightfully fun story about six people (add a pet or two) who have nothing to do with one another and the one day where they have everything to do with each other. It starts with a man and his horse making there way to the market to sell watermelons. Next the story moves to a girl who loses her pet pig, then a man in a hot-air balloon that gets turned loose, a runaway train, a road-raged old woman, a man who makes his fortune after falling out of his boat, and a woman who loses her pet cockatoo. Every one of these people are connected through the first man off to sell watermelons. The nonlinearity of the story reminds me of the film Pulp Fiction. Cutting from one character's story to another and then finally fitting them all together. This book is a perfect opportunity to teach children the consequences of actions and the reality that is cause and effect. Every action made by one character in this book is felt by another. David Macaulay adds to the post modern genre of literature with his nonlinear story telling changing the way we read children's books for the better.

[Stephany Nasr · Rating 3 out of 5]

As you open the book, you find a page with framed images of the six characters in Shortcut. Shortcut is a book about six characters who seem to have unrelated events, but each event is connected to another character and their outcome. If you like stories or movies that have multiple characters involved in seemingly unrelated events that turn out to be connected, then you will enjoy Shortcut. Each spread has a framed image on one page and a full bleed image on the other. The bright colors used in the pictures, enhance the lighthearted humor of the text. The reader must pay close attention to the details in each picture. Many clues are given in the images, like the rope that was cut by Albert. You find out a few chapters later that it was the rope to Mr. Tweet's balloon. The narrator takes you through the cause and effect of each character's actions in each of the nine short chapters. The text is engaging and funny. Children and adults of all ages will enjoy the misfortunes and luck that each character encounters.

[Dianne J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age of readership: Ages 9-12

Genre: Picture Book

Diversity: Community

Illustrations: Colorful pen & ink drawings with many details and clues on most pages

My response to the book: Macaulay demonstrates that all living creatures effect others by their actions whether we know it or not. This story uses the post modern approach of multiple perspectives.

Curricular/Programming connections: Use is a story time for elementary school aged children as a prelude to discuss cause and effect of our actions within our community. The book can also be used in an English class before students complete a writing assignment on an incident in their community that created change.

[Fisal Ansari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age:
Grades 5-YA

Genre:
realistic fiction/Multiple perspectives

Diversity:
socio-economic levels, life lessons.

Illustrations:
The pictures depict the scenes from the text such as the characters names and what they are doing in each scene. lots of colors as well.

Personal response:
I enjoyed this read because it provides the reader with multiple perspectives about how life may turn out. Kind of like a random lottery of events.

Curricular or programming connections:
Great lesson for kids to help them understand how the world works. I would use this book with graphic organizers perhaps and writing lessons. I would also add music.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nine short chapters with brief text and clue-filled illustrations invite observant readers to look for connections as the stories come together in various ways. Is anything in life really an accident or does everything somehow connect? This picture book prompts quite a bit of thinking about the paths we travel and the connections we make, some deliberate and some accidental. And it all starts with the usual trip to the market made by a farmer and his horse take. This one becomes more enjoyable upon multiple readings.

[Dani Vatsaas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book Shortcut is an exciting and humourous read for both children and adults. The book is broken into several events that SEEM to be unrelated, and are contained within nine short chapters. In the end you find that each event happened to affect anothers outcomes, and the connections between each of the events adds a fun twist for the reader. The mixture of full bleed and bordered illustrations seem to portray the perfect mix of humor, art, and chaos. A very fun read.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book. I really enjoyed that it had four different stories but all of them intersected at different points. The pictures are very busy but they add to the business of the story. One man's insignificant actions in the first story cause chaos for three other strangers. In this story, the reader is not given the full details of the relationship between the cause and the effect. I had to sometimes go back a couple of pages in order to "connect the dots".

[Honah Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

The images alternate full-bleed next to bordered illustrations. I think this is to capture two different views of what is happening in the story. The story begins even before the first page of the story. The front cover, title page and and copy right page all add to the story before Chapter 1 starts. The characters are all introduced on the page next to the title page. There are chapters in this picture book, which is not typical format for picture books.