The Big Adventure of a Little Line - Hardcover

Serge Bloch (born 1956) is a cartoonist and illustrator. His work has appeared in major advertising campaigns and in publications including the New York Times, Time, and the Washington Post. His books for children include I Dare You Not to Yawn, You Are What You Eat, and Reach for the Stars.

Gr 3 Up—A boy discovers an abandoned line on the street and tucks it into his notebook. He nurtures it, and eventually it thrives and becomes his companion. The line protects him, challenges him, and brings him success throughout his life. In his old age, he and his friend agree that it's time to pass a bit of the line on to someone else. A young girl finds the new scrap of line and follows it to the final page, where it ends at the tip of an artist's pen. The idea of an interactive line is not a new concept in children's literature, but the line as a metaphor for how artistic talent manifests throughout life and what that means to the artist is an interesting take on the concept. The lively ink drawings are skillful and humorous but require a degree of sophistication to fully appreciate. With more than 80 thick pages, this book appears to be a hefty volume, yet each page holds only a few words. Libraries seeking books that introduce lines to children should look to Candace Whitman's Lines That Wiggle (Blue Apple, 2009) or Frank Viva's beautifully designed Along a Long Road (Little, Brown, 2011). For creativity in the arts, stick with classics like Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon (HarperCollins) or Peter Reynolds's Dot (Candlewick, 2003). VERDICT Artists and designers may want to add this one to their personal collections, but libraries buying for the children's department can pass.—Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, MN