The Straight Line Wonder

by Mem Fox, Marc Rosenthal (Illustrator)

Despite the admonitions of his friends, a straight line enjoys expressing himself by twirling in whirls, pointing his joints, and creeping in heaps

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, LGBT, Mathematics

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

Merrion Frances Fox is an Australian writer of children's books and an educationalist specialising in literacy. Fox has been semi-retired since 1996, but she still gives seminars and lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

Reviews

[Petar Vučković]

Is this cheating? Because I saw a tiktok of a person reading this hahaha

But I have that 60 book goal and I am counting this picture book. There is a "book" in "picutre book", so yeah... you do the math.

There is always a lesson in stories like this one, and the end kind of fell flat. I did not get it at all. I guess the moral of the story is that you should be popular so that people can accept you? I am lost. 2 stars!

[Joyce Ellis]

Cute story emphasizing the "be who you are" theme, and I loved the classic picture book elements of humor, sound, motion, etc. But I was disappointed that the "bottom line" of the story, pardon the pun, was that the main character found true acceptance and affirmation only when he made it big in the entertainment industry. I adore Mem Fox and her writing, but I think this could have been a much better book with a different ending.

[Dawn]

I love this story. The play on words are hilarious. It is a simple story that beautifully expresses how important it is to just be you. I love the repeated responses from his friends who are aghast that he dare step out and not be a straight line. I also love stories like this that get my kids talking about big topics.

[Kelly Gimmler]

This book was a fun little, quick read, definitely for earlier elementary school. It has themes of accepting differences and being okay with who you are. A unique line doesn't want to be straight like everyone else, and he turns out okay! Definitely moreso lower elementary in grades K-4.

[Amanda Walz]

This is a good story about wanting to be different and then going for it. Not worrying about what other people think.

[Emily]

i think this is about being gay? a little on the nose and really, showbiz?

[Sarah Threlkeld]

Catchy read aloud with an important message about being oneself.

[jesse]

this book is actually really stupid. except that it's also so awesome cuz it's about a line who refuses to be straight & then goes into SHOW BUSINESS. "sometimes it's important not to be straight." yes.

[The Styling Librarian]

The Straight Line Wonder by Mem Fox, Pictures by Mark Rosenthal – I just loved the simplicity, rhythm, repetition of this book. I love the independence of straight line #1 ignoring peer pressure and loving life.

[Jen]

Who says?! This book reminded me of that sentiment time and time again. Who says a line has to be straight all of the time? I totally enjoyed the language in this story ("creep in heaps") and it made for a fun read aloud with fourth graders.

[Dolly]

I love reading Mem Fox's books to our girls, and although this isn't our favorite, it's still a great story with a good lesson about being true to yourself and not being afraid to be different.

[Erica]

super cute book about being yourself.

[Kendra]

A cute story about being different. Its ok to be different and it should be celebrated.

[Erin Banet]

Great book! I love the way it teaches to just be yourself! Great illustrations too!

[Candice Call]

This would be a good book to use to show that you don't have to follow your peers and that it is okay to be different. Could be used in multiple ways to relate to many differnt topics.

[marmix]

The first half of this book is perfect. I see what Fox was trying to do here, but the subtext is just too contrived.

[Vivian]

A fun story about being yourself and not worrying so much about others think -- good to share with 5-8 year olds.

[Kelli Graham]

A must read for the classroom read aloud list! =)
Perfect book to read for individuality and celebrating who you are rather than who you aren't--touching book that I love to read each year. =)

[Bonnie]

It's okay to be different and try new things.

[Corey]

I love this simple, fun story. The movements are fun to recreate with my young music students, and it has helped me demonstrate making our line at the door!

[BGCedillo]

It was a very good book because it was funny.

[Melissa Dwyer]

Originally rated G+ by

[Kris Patrick]

Smart!!
Repetition in writing

[The Book Box]

Mama read this to me and we both liked it.

[Sandra]

Not sure on this one. Love the idea, and the language was great, but the showbiz bit, really? While I appreciate the idea, I feel like Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Exclamation Mark did something similar with an ending that felt much more suited to the story.