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 Review by
Louella Moreland
Just the title of David Shannon's new picture book, "Too Many Toys," is
enough to intrigue readers to open the cover for more, and once again this
talented author and illustrator fulfills the promise of a delightful tale.
Large, two-page illustrations with lots of color and detail add an
incredible depth to the story. Each time a reader turns a page, the toys
that are piled up on beds, on floors, in tubs and sandboxes, explode off the
page in a youthful delight of fun. Faces on lamps, glasses on a pig, a bee
with a television head, a pink feathered bird with goggles, missing pieces
off toys, spinning pieces on toys, dirt, water, splotchy paint and a little
boy named Spencer in the midst of the chaos create a world where TOYS take
center stage.
Shannon does not disappoint with his text either. Spencer is what many
people would describe as "all Boy." He is messy, noisy and imaginative. All
of his relatives delight in giving toys to Spencer. He receives toys for
birthdays, Christmas and even the Fourth of July! His mother and father are
at wits end. They cannot walk across the floor with out stepping on or
tripping on all of Spencer's toys. Something must be done!
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Mom decides, "Spencer! You have too many toys!" and the search
begins for the toys that Spencer no longer wants. Unfortunately, no
matter what toy his mother suggests he get rid of, Spencer was "just
going to play with that one" or "make it a new head." The only toy
she gets him to give up is a pirate in the shape of an egg. (It
belongs to his dad.) Therefore, Mom and Spencer make a deal. They
will go through the entire house, including closets and under
furniture, to find toys that Spencer is willing to discard and fill
one box with unwanted toys.
The deal works fine and a box is finally packed to take out to
the car. However, Mom probably should not have gone to the kitchen
for a cup of tea and a rest. I won't spoil the end of the story for
you, but needless to say, Mom isn't too pleased when she goes to
load the box into the car.
David Shannon's book reminds me of countless times with my own
two children when I would beg them to sort out their unwanted,
unplayed-with toys. Each toy then became a cherished possession that
simply could not be thrown away. Many parents and children will
enjoy this tale and remember their own attempts and frustrations
when dealing with the "too many toys" issue. This is a great book to
curl up with, with a youngster on your lap, and take a good, long
time to read and enjoy!
To find this book and other favorites by David Shannon, visit us
at the Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St.
[Text from file received from
Louella Moreland,
Lincoln Public Library District]
(Ms. Lou's blog:
lincolnpubliclibraryupdates.blogspot.com) |
