Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Anthony and the Girls
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Farrar, Straus and Giroux , 2006 ISBN: 978-0374303761
Anthony thinks he is “cool.” He has a bucket, and a shovel, and a really big toy car. Anthony takes these treasures up to where some little girls are playing in a sand box. He waves his bucket around, he sticks his shovel in the sand, and he pushes his car back in forth in front of the girls, trying to attract their attention. The girls work on their sand castle, and they completely ignore Anthony.
Anthony shows the girls that he can jump high, that he is strong, and that he can go down the slide on his stomach with his “Eyes closed.” Surely the girls will be impressed now. Surely they will notice Anthony when they see how talented he is. They don’t.
In this unique picture book, the author uses very simple illustrations and a minimal text to explore the ways in which children interact. Little boys and girl alike will laugh as they watch Anthony try and try again to get some attention, and they will appreciate that the story’s ending leaves readers will a question. What will happen next?
