Greetings, readers and writers! I’m still feeling under the weather, so I thought I’d continue the day with another light read. The book I want to talk about is a children’s picture book, one which I’m sure my readers will love just as much as the children in their lives will. The book I’m reviewing in this post is Absurdimals: Lola Goes to School, written by Gwendolyn Javor and illustrated by Melissa Aker Spears.
Lola is special. There are many kinds of animals in Harmonia, but Lola is the first of a new animal: a belephant. Half bunny, half elephant, all Lola. Unfortunately, not everyone at Lola’s new school thinks so. In particular, Herb, the biggest elephant at the school, does not welcome her with open arms. Lola’s excitement for her first day of school quickly dissipates as she is ostracized by Herb and the other elephants, and it seems to be more than she can handle on her own. Will Lola let Herb’s words get to her? Or will she find the strength to embrace her “absurdimal” status?
Image retrieved from Amazon
This book is not only cute and entertaining but also enlightening. Javor addresses the issue of deviating from the social norm in a creative and captivating manner. By using animals and hybrid animals, she allows for the message to be about more than just one specific trait that could make us different. Lola could represent an interracial child, a child with parents of two different religions or cultures, or even someone as seemingly-commonplace as a girl who likes to do traditionally “boy” things. Better yet, the use of animals creates a distancing from the subject which makes it accessible and comfortable for everyone. No matter what our personal experiences and beliefs, we’re bound to connect with a fluffy belephant and root for her happiness!
As it is a children’s story, the plot is simple and the characters straightforward. However, through momentary glimpses at how they do or do not conform to normality, Javor fleshes out some of the animals in ways which not many picture books do. My particular favorite is a unique friendship between two unlikely animals, but I won’t say any more in order to avoid spoilers.
The illustrations beautifully complement Javor’s writing. Spears uses calming muted colors which closely resemble drawings made from colored pencils. She brings life to every character, especially Lola. I would not have been able to imagine a “belephant” clearly without Spears’s guidance. The illustrations never overpower the story, instead working hand-in-hand with them to build a unique world that still reminds me of picture books like If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
To be honest, I can’t praise this book enough. It’s not as elaborate as “adult” books but it still presents plenty that both children and adults can learn from. Javor’s writing is plain enough for younger readers to follow but the concept is also advanced enough that their parents will love reading it, too. I highly recommend Absurdimals: Lola Goes to School by Gwendolyn Javor for anyone with a child into whom they want to instill individuality and acceptance. Hey, I even recommend it for adults looking for a light, entertaining read. As Mr. Hooves says, “There’s no too different, there’s only new-different!”
You can buy Absurdimals: Lola Goes to School by Gwendolyn Javor as an eBook and in print on Amazon. (I recommend the print copy myself.) Also keep an eye out for future books in this promising children’s picture book series!
Do you know of a book I should read? E-mail me at thewritersscrapbin@gmail.com and let me know!
Designed by Stephanie Hoogstad circa 2011