Straight to the Pole

PreSchool-Grade 3-Snuggly bundled from head to toe and carrying an oversized backpack, a young traveler sets out across a frozen landscape. The child bravely pushes on through swirling snowflakes, slipping and sliding through the knee-deep drifts, and finally falls to the ground with a theatrical, "Can't go on." When a floppy-eared dog appears on the horizon, the youngster calls it a wolf and thinks, "I'm doomed. Lost and alone-." After the beast is put at bay with a pat and a hug, two rescuers appear to announce that "school has been closed for the day!" The last page shows the backpack left leaning against the pole mentioned in the title, which holds up the sign for the bus stop. O'Malley maintains a humorous melodramatic tone throughout the brief text, but the real story is in his textured watercolors, which are presented on eye-catching spreads. Attention remains tightly focused on the brightly clothed main character, while the backgrounds glow with dense purples and grays. The blizzardlike conditions and lack of visibility make the protagonist's game of pretend all the more believable. Dialogue balloons containing quips such as "I told Mom this would happen" add to the fun. The short text, simple language, and large print will encourage beginning readers, while the read-aloud crowd will be attracted to the vivid artwork and amusing situation.
Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.