I’ve been eagerly looking forward to visiting the library to read this picture book after recently discovering the author through his other well-known picture book The Day the Crayons Quit. The premise of this book was a great idea to explore, and I’ll admit that a grin crept on to my face a couple of times as I read it, but I finished the book with an overall air of disappointment. Why? Because as an aunt who often babysits her toddler niece I know how quickly kids pick up attitudes and focus on something that adults might skim over and in doing so the true story or meaning is lost to whatever they’re focusing on and noticing about what’s being said. So bringing in talk about underwear, or referencing one of the characters (Rock) not wearing pants which served no point in the story, and reading a book where everyone is going around looking for someone to defeat and beat up—that’s just going to be confusing and harmful for young minds, in my opinion.
The parts I couldn’t help but quirk a smile at was the uniquely phrased challenges that the challenger whether Rock, Paper, or Scissors would exchange with the challenged. Tape yelling out to Scissors, “I will battle you and leave you beaten and confused with my adhesive and tangling powers.” Or the dino- shaped chicken nuggets in the frig, “Bow before our child-pleasing shapes and flavors, sword master.”
A quick thought before I wrap up. The “conflict” of the story is resolved when each champion finally finds someone that can defeat them—which they have been looking for the entire story. Perhaps, it’s just me but I feel as if the story could have been better told if they started out arrogantly thinking they were the best, and then, each in turn, learned a lesson in humility and in boasting in yourself. (A moral maybe at the end instead of a champion hug fest and a “finally a challenge, I was getting so bored” exchange.) The middle of the book would be so different, instead of how it is throughout the book with their attitudes of “Woe is me; I’m the best, and I can’t find ANYONE to defeat me,” while they march around challenging everyone.
I love how the author thought up a unique picture book story and showed further creativity in the challenge exchanges back and forth between characters. The narrated tone of the story fits well. :) But if you’re looking for a positive and emotionally healthy book to encourage your little ones with I recommend skipping this one and reading Drew Daywalt’s other works.
2.5 stars