In Hey Al, Al and his dog are transported out of the humdrum into an at-first idyllic existence. They learn an important lesson about appreciating life as it is. Many of these stories are about characters that overcome obstacles in life. In Song and Dance Man, Grandpa and the kids climb up into the attic where he entertains them with his old vaudeville routine. Officer Buckle and his talented dog, Gloria, find that they cannot successfully perform their safety routine without each other, highlighting the value of teamwork.
Fables is a good one for adults to enjoy.
You may have guessed from some of the titles that many of these books have multicultural value. I really loved Grandfather s Journey, about three generations of Japanese-Americans and how more than one place can feel like home. The soft, beautiful illustrations of landscapes and people made me feel I was really visiting Japan and San Francisco. Golem recounts a Jewish folktale of a Frankenstein-like hero who saves the people. Wisniewski s cut-paper illustrations are colorful, intricate, and dazzling.