Below
PreSchool-Grade 2–Crews uses digitally manipulated photos and line drawings along with brief text to relate the adventures of Jack and his action-figure toy, Guy. They live in a narrow house with many stairs that provides them with opportunities for creative play. The stairs become mountains to climb, forests to explore, and, when Jacks cars and other toys are added to the fun, cities to visit. But one day Guy falls through a hole in the stairs, and Jack worries about what might be happening to him below. Fearful that Guy might have to deal with dragons, wild horses, or–perhaps worse–be all alone, the child uses his crane and other action figures to effect a rescue. Most illustrations are large colorful spreads, while white line drawings against the stark black ground of Guys below world under the stairs provide sharp contrast. This story, along with Mini GreysTraction Man Is Here!(Knopf, 2005), will surely inspire young readers to see everyday objects in a new light.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CTCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.