Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Rita and Whatsit
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Picture Book Series
For ages 4 to 8
Chronicle Books, 2009 ISBN: 0811865509
It is Rita’s birthday and she is not having a good day. Nothing pleases her. Her presents are either too big, too small, or too medium. Then Rita notices that one of the presents is jiggling. When she opens the present, Rita realizes that the present is an honest to goodness real live dog.
One would think that this would make Rita happy. After all, children love dogs don’t they? Unfortunately, Rita is not happy. She frowns at the dog, she threatens to “pack you up in your box” if he doesn’t cooperate. Is Rita ever going to warm to her new pet?
In this charming story, the author explores how a relationship between two determined personalities develops. At first, neither one concedes, and they are at an impasse. Then one of them gives just a little, and the situation improves enormously.
The minimal illustrations in this book pair perfectly with the author’s engaging story, and readers will be glad to know that
