FICTION

I Won

tr. from Dutch. illus. by Ruth Wielockx. 32p. Clavis. 2015. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781605372204.
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Toddler-PreS—On your mark, get set, go! So begins an unusual race in which every child rides a different vehicle. The tricycle takes an early lead but is quickly surpassed by the scooter, which in turn gets overtaken by a jeep, and so on and so forth. Whenever one kid passes another, the previous vehicle's front end peeks over the left-hand page, while the new leader fully occupies the right. In their moment of glory, each child is sure of their victory. However, the narrator breaks the fourth wall to question this, making viewers wonder what will come next and who will really win. After steadily building the excitement, Wielockx genuinely surprises them with the answer. She gives the often hollow saying "everyone's a winner" new validity with her clever ending. Boys and girls from various ethnicities participate, and each has an equal chance of winning.
VERDICT A fun, colorful book, with a lively pace, tone, and, topping it all off, a meaningful message.

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