Hi! This is Rachel Malay, director at the Port Library in Beloit. Our summer library programs for every age of young person continue in July, and in honor of that this review for July will be of a book new to the children’s department. I hope all my listeners have had a fun Fourth of July and I’d like to sneak in birthday wishes to my father-in-law out in western Kansas, who celebrated last weekend.
Leon is a gecko, and the star of this week’s review, Brief Thief by Michael Escoffier, illustrated by Kris Giacomo. The text from the first three pages of the book piqued my interest, and I’m sure they will have you intrigued too: “This morning Leon enjoyed his breakfast. Then he sunned himself on a big rock. And now, Leon has to go poo.” With that, Leon goes about his business but when he is done he finds the toilet paper has run out. What is a poor gecko to do? Then, on a lower branch (geckos don’t use indoor plumbing, after all!) Leon spies a lone pair of underwear. The underwear is bright red and orange, with holes. So Leon makes do. After climbing down Leon hears a little voice. It is his conscience. Leon should not have taken something that wasn't his. And then just to toss them aside! So Leon rescues the underwear, cleans them up, and leaves them back on the branch to dry. We see in the last few pages of the book the original owner of the underwear. And maybe discover that Leon wasn't hearing a voice in his head, but one just out of sight. But, I won’t spoil that for my listeners. You’ll have to come check the book out to see the funny ending.
This picture book is a little larger than normal, with nice, thick pages. The illustrations are bright and colorful, a mixture of ink, pencil, crayon, and watercolor. You won’t soon forget Leon’s many facial expressions! This is a great format for sitting on a lap to read, with pages easy enough for anyone to turn. The lesson learned is important too, and this book is a funny and lighthearted way to introduce the topic of keeping your hands off things that do not belong to you.
You can get the book reviewed here and more great titles to watch, read, listen to, or play with at the Port Library at 1718 N. Hersey in Beloit, on the North Campus. This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”
Brief Thief by Michael Escoffier, illustrated by Kris Giacomo.
ISBN: 9781592701315, illustrated
Children's fiction picture books
Leon is a gecko, and the star of this week’s review, Brief Thief by Michael Escoffier, illustrated by Kris Giacomo. The text from the first three pages of the book piqued my interest, and I’m sure they will have you intrigued too: “This morning Leon enjoyed his breakfast. Then he sunned himself on a big rock. And now, Leon has to go poo.” With that, Leon goes about his business but when he is done he finds the toilet paper has run out. What is a poor gecko to do? Then, on a lower branch (geckos don’t use indoor plumbing, after all!) Leon spies a lone pair of underwear. The underwear is bright red and orange, with holes. So Leon makes do. After climbing down Leon hears a little voice. It is his conscience. Leon should not have taken something that wasn't his. And then just to toss them aside! So Leon rescues the underwear, cleans them up, and leaves them back on the branch to dry. We see in the last few pages of the book the original owner of the underwear. And maybe discover that Leon wasn't hearing a voice in his head, but one just out of sight. But, I won’t spoil that for my listeners. You’ll have to come check the book out to see the funny ending.
This picture book is a little larger than normal, with nice, thick pages. The illustrations are bright and colorful, a mixture of ink, pencil, crayon, and watercolor. You won’t soon forget Leon’s many facial expressions! This is a great format for sitting on a lap to read, with pages easy enough for anyone to turn. The lesson learned is important too, and this book is a funny and lighthearted way to introduce the topic of keeping your hands off things that do not belong to you.
You can get the book reviewed here and more great titles to watch, read, listen to, or play with at the Port Library at 1718 N. Hersey in Beloit, on the North Campus. This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”
Brief Thief by Michael Escoffier, illustrated by Kris Giacomo.
ISBN: 9781592701315, illustrated
Children's fiction picture books
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