Off-Limits

PreS-Gr 1–Working from home can have its ups and downs, especially when young children are around. One day, a man with scruffy blond hair departs from his office, carefully placing an “off-limits” sign on his door before setting off for the kitchen with his trusty canine companion. Soon, a young girl with wide eyes, lightly tan skin, and two dark French braids opens the door to the office, flicks the light on, and addressing readers, claims she is merely going to have a look around. “And I don’t think anyone would miss one piece of tape. Just one little teeny tiny piece.” What follows is a visual celebration of paper clips, document holders, and way too much tape in a confetti-laden tornado of color and movement. Once the damage is done, the girl sneaks back to her room to find an unexpected surprise: her father is rocking out among her toys with an audience of stuffed animals. This delightful story incorporates the wistful dreams of both parent and child alike, especially in the current WFH reality. Very few words are included in the narrative, as the illustrations do most of the storytelling. Pastel colors begin in drab hues, adding more color with the arrival of the little girl into the story. Readers will love observing the child engaging in a familiar rendition of pretend play, and dynamic visuals and playful textual placement will captivate the attention of a range of readers. Work is not always fun, but this enjoyable tale helps remind parents of the joys that come from an uncluttered desk and a variety of available office supplies.