More or Less

by Alison Hughes, Oge Mora (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 10, 2025

Reviews

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the message, but I found the layout and text to be cluttered and confusing.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book with extremely limited text offers a promising premise of a lesson of sustainability.

This young biracial boy passes by his living room and says "plenty". He races upstairs to his cluttered bedroom and says "more". As he picks up items and loads them in his wagon (upstairs??), he says "less". Piled high with the stuff, he walks along a sidewalk dragging his wagon behind and gives something to everyone he meets until the wagon is empty. Lots of action until the end, when the boy gives up his stuffed bunny which leaves him with just his family.

I describe this as "promising", as it has a very limited text: plenty, more, and, even, less. This leaves it to the illustrator to come up with the plot and action shown in the illustrations.

I usually love Oge Mora's illustrations in books, but this one is a big miss. It is a mass of textures, colors, and patterns throughout, making it difficult to make out the action at times. The story starts out with "plenty", a very busy image of Mother laying on the sofa while marking up papers, his siblings and their cat playing on the floor. It becomes cluttered with all of the "stuff" around them - textured floors, baseboards, sofa, pillows, things on tables with drawers, pictures and a clock handing on the wall, a model airplane hanging from the ceiling. Busy, busy! The boy's room is cluttered, as well, with more things appearing when the closet is opened and junk piles out. The reader sees 3 images of the same room, with more stuff added each time. (You must look closely to try to figure out what some of the things are. I am not sure what the green finger-shaped thing is, as it looks like a bat in one, a wormy-thing in the second, and a finger in the third. It is when he wraps it around the dog's neck that you realize it is a scarf - I think.) Each progression through the story is similar. As an adult, I had a difficult time figuring out what the action was in a few illustrations (not sure if I guessed right on a couple). If it was difficult for me, how will a young child fare?

Youngest readers may find themselves either be overstimulated or overwhelmed at looking at each illustration trying to figure out what is going on. Either way, they are likely to walk away.

I love you and your artwork, Oge, but - sorry - just not this book.

I'm making this an ptional purchase, as there is little out there on decluttering and sustainability for children.
For ages 3-5.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I love Oge Mora's beautiful art. I also love clever simple text or or but think this is an instance where the concept needs more support from the text. A good choice for a classroom discussion on needs and wants, and reduce/re-use/recycle.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fan of Oge Mora's collage illustrations, I wanted to see this newest book she artfully illustrated. The story of More or Less is told in the illustrations. Each page contains only one word or a few words, and the reader must carefully analyze the illustrations to decipher what is happening. At the end of my first read-through, I felt like I'd missed something. I started over again and read more slowly, looking for clues that I'd missed the first time around. I think this book could facilitate a great discussion about what we have, what we need, and how we can find ways to reuse, donate, and recycle.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alison Hughes writes a book with a wonderful concept--more is not necessarily better, and sometimes simplicity is the greater goal. The concise text does adequate to good work of conveying the message, although it could be improved upon. Unfortunately, Oge Mora's paper cut illustrations leave the message feeling muddled. Readers will have a difficult time deciphering the story's message due to the lack of synergy between the text and pictures.

While the goal of this story is significant and meaningful, the implementation lands far from the target. This book needs to go back to the drawing board.

[Bedashruti Mitra Basu · Rating 4 out of 5]

“More or Less” is a picture book that explores themes of sharing, sustainability, simplicity, and kindness – told primarily through just three words: ‘plenty’, ‘more’, and ‘less’. With minimal text, Oge Mora brings Alison Hughes’ words to life through her signature art.

This book invites young readers to explore the visuals while reflecting on the deeper message of family connections over the constant chase for more stuff.

Great for students from K to Grade 2! You need this book to add on to your Oge Mora collection!

[Victoria Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the digital review copy of this book.

Alison Hughes has created a spare book that fits perfectly with today's parents thrifting and reusing ethic, and touches upon the greater value of volunteerism that all can appreciate.
Classically joyful Oge Mora illustrations gone search-and-find add an uplifting tone to what could have been didactic in tone. It's not.
A great combo.

[Alyssa Reynoso-Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oge Mora has done it again - her talent as an illustrator makes this book come alive. This book with minimalist text is perfect for young readers as they are learning to read. My kiddo who is learning to read enjoyed following along the simple text and being able to read along. She also enjoyed interpreting what is happening in the book using Oge's illustration. Plus I enjoyed the topic of prioritizing familial connection over consumption and the accumulation of stuff.

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars (it was okay)

I needed 'more' from the book. The text repeats the words "more" and "less" (with a few "plenty" as well) while showing stuff. The main character realized they have too much stuff and decide to give it away or reuse it. Then there is a donation drive for a retirement home. I do like the message but I just think that the plot could go over the heads of young readers. It definitely wouldn't be a good read aloud book because there is so much going on in the illustrations.

[Emily Haage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple text that leaves plenty of space for meaningful conversation about the meaning of more and less. I adore Oge Mora's beautiful collage illustrations--like trees made of recycled materials and other found materials. The texture is great.

Maybe not one to share for story time, but great for one-on-one reading.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really sure how to use this book. The text seems to be ideal for young toddlers but the simplicity of the text doesn't fit with the complexity of the images. I appreciate the sentiment as an adult but for the very young intended audience I think the deeper message is hidden a bit too deep.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repeated words and collage illustrations deal with the ideas of too many possessions, generosity, sharing, and recycling. The ideas are noble; the execution is a bit confusing.
Will require adult explanation and interpretation.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific message (more is not always better!) and gorgeous illustrations from Oge Mora. But I think the main idea might be lost on children, without a lot of discussion. There is a lot of space to fill in between pages.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea and the illustrations.

[Rachel Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are fun, but my 3yo was a little confused as to what was more and what was less. Not sure I would use for read-aloud.

[Y.Poston]

a beautiful encouragement to be mindful of what we surround ourselves with

[Lillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting and I don't think it gets it point across

[Joan Galat · Rating 5 out of 5]

More or Less delivers both entertainment and a valuable message. Highly recommended.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it twice and was still confused.
It might need MORE words.

[Grace Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

An almost-wordless book (it did need a little more explanation).

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sparsely worded book, but it shows how donating and sharing can spread feelings of more even while decreasing the number of objects at home.