Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Tomo Explores the World by Trevor Lai -- OPTIONAL

Lai, Trevor Tomo Explores the World. PICTURE BOOK. Imprint (Macmillan), 2016. $17.99. Content: G.

Tomo grows up in a fishing village where his forefathers have always been the greatest fishermen. Naturally, everyone expects Tomo to be the best fisherman of all. But he doesn't actually like to fish. He'd much rather be an explorer and an inventor. When he stumbles upon his great-grandfather's Adventure Journal, he finally has an excuse to leave the island.

I wanted to like this one. The illustrations are colorful and lively, and Tomo's inventions have some nice STEM connections. Unfortunately, the plot feels long and convoluted -- especially in the second half, when the Adventure Journal is suddenly introduced. Streamlining the chain of events would have been a huge help here. And while it is fun to see Tomo finally having the chance to explore, I wouldn't exactly want to encourage kids to take their best friends and sneak off to see the world without so much as a farewell to their parents.

K-3 -- OPTIONAL. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

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