Puzzlehead

by James Yang

This is Puzzlehead. And these are his friends - Mo, Bob, Sue, and Stevie. One day they all go exploring. What will they find? Lots of surprises - and maybe the best surprise of all!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2009

About the author

James Yang is an award-winning artist and designer, and the author of Stop! Bot!, the winner of the 2020 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished American book for beginning readers. His follow up book, A Boy Named Isamu , is the APALA 2022 Honor Title Picture for Asian American literature . He uses pencil sharpeners, pens, and a computer--which is an electronic machine--in his studio. James Yang grew up in Oklahoma, and now lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations, but still can't understand why Puzzlehead's friends have names like Mo, Bob, Sue, and Stevie.

[Tweller83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

4/3/24: Read for Picture This readathon: change. I'm not sure about this one. It is cute, but why is one called "puzzlehead" and the others have "regular" names like "Sue" and "Bob" - that perplexed me. And it seemed like everything they found to do (other than at the end) only fits one "person" - again I don't understand. Not sure what my grandchild will think of this one.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book with good illustrations.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creative book, all the pieces fit somewhere, especially at the end!

[N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author/illustrator of this book was on our high school newspaper and yearbook staff, as I was, many years ago. I bought this book out of curiosity, knowing James has been very successful as a graphic artist and curious to see what I thought of one of his children's books.

Puzzlehead is the main character, one of several children with different head shapes (like puzzle pieces). As this group of friends wanders around, each finds a place where that his head slots into perfectly. But, then Puzzlehead gets stuck in his spot, the rest of the children tug on him and they all go flying -- and when they land, their heads all fit together into one big rectangle. I guess it's about searching for perfection when the right thing (friendship, in this case) is right in front of you, as well as acceptance of differences in appearance. I could stand to run this one past a test child; I'm curious if children get it. It almost seems too clever.

I confess to being a tiny bit biased; I know James and think he's brilliant. It's not quite as vibrant in color as I'd like and the theme may be a bit challenging, though, now that I think about it, themes I don't get immediately will often come easily to children. The more I let it roll around in my head the more I like it and can imagine myself talking through the story with a child. Still, I'd advise flipping through the book or finding interior photos before purchasing.

I just read the back, in which another children's author calls Puzzlehead "a visual thinker's feast". Oh. Yes. That definitely fits.

[Terrie Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Description: Talks about how children work to find their own place in life and where they fit in. By the end of the story the characters realize that they have always been a perfect fit all along.
Implementation ideas: Beginning of the school year with K-2nd; focus on friendships and differences.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story can be read to students in pre-kindergarten through first grade. This is simply a good, fun book to read to students. Your students may realize that there is a special place for everyone somewhere.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminded me of Tetris - the Puzzlehead and his friends all have interestingly shaped heads that make different activities fun, and it takes awhile for them to find a way to all have fun together (think Tetris)

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A groups of friends looking to see where they fit. Puzzlehead finds a spot but it is lonely. There is always a great solution. Creative story and fun if simple illustrations. Ages 3+

[LibraryLaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another offbeat picture book. I'll have to test it out on kids.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. Not much of a plot, but would be good for using with shapes.

[Gwen the Librarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sort of fun story about a puzzleheaded kid looking for a place he will "fit in". This one needs a kid test. The illustrations are super cute, but I'm not completely sold on the story.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The word 'puzzlehead' just makes me laugh.

[Pam Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about a puzzle piece who is trying to figure out where he belongs. My son loves it!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a fun book of finding someplace that you fit in and also that all your friends can fit in too. Nicely illustrated, but not one of my favorites.

[Modboy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book, nicely illustrated, about fitting in but not entirely too moving. Kids can think about shapes and the role they play.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this from the dedication "To the genius who invented recess" to the language of Peter H. Reynolds comment on the back the book. Guess I need to find out more about James Yang.

[The Book Box]

This was one of my dad and brother's favorite books, so Mom found a copy and we read it together the other night. It's a fun book about friends and fitting in!