Jean Reidy

While I hinted about this on Facebook, I’m posting the entire Publishers Weekly review here.

Time Out for Monsters!

Even kids can get the fixer-upper urge—especially when the real estate in question is the time-out corner. “Mom says it’s fine, but I know better. I spend a LOT of time there,” says the refreshingly unapologetic young narrator. So he conjures up a world of excitement that includes a killer view, a fire brigade, a dump truck full of ice cream, and some kingly accoutrements. When Neubecker (What Little Boys Are Made Of) reveals that everything the hero imagines is simultaneously being drawn by him on the walls of the corner, readers won’t have trouble guessing what comes next. Reidy’s (Too Princessy!) descriptive narration (“This corner needs a comfy seat with some pillows… on a throne!”) gets a goose from colorful, comics-style typography. But this is Neubecker’s show, and he’s given plenty of space to let loose. Whether he’s showing a monster and dinosaur–stuffed polka-dotted big wheeler or a landscape filled with cupcakes, spread after spread is a riot of color, goofy fantasy, and well-choreographed freneticism. Ages 3–7. 

Favorite line – “spread after spread is a riot of color, goofy fantasy, and well-choreographed freneticism.”  Hooray!  Reminds me of editor, Allyn Johnston’s wise words — perfect picture books are like a dance between text and illustrations. 

But I also love that this book was recognized as  “… Neubecker’s show, and he’s given plenty of space to let loose.” My hope was that an illustrator would take my spare text and run with it. And Neubecker certainly did.

For a sneak peek at Robert Neubecker’s process, original sketches from the book, including his original cover sketch (so darn cute!) check out his TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! page.