WHAT'S LEFT?

by Judi Barrett ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 21, 1983

A concept book--without the inherent relationships that make a concept book valid. The basic idea, and its most felicitous illustration, is as follows: ""What's left after you've taken your bath?"" ""A ring around the bathtub."" Some of the other questions, however, have mundane answers: ""What's left after you drink all of your milk?"" (""An empty glass""); ""What's left after you've licked up all of your lollipop?"" (""The stick""). Others of the questions have arbitrary, unguessable answers: ""What's left after you get out of bed in the morning?"" ""A warm spot."" Still others, in the emotional realm, could be called insensitive: ""What's left after you finish crying?"" ""A few tears."" All of this is illustrated in flat colors and a few, simplified, poster-like forms--ugly forms when, occasionally, children (like the crier) are shown. The book doesn't provide the satisfactions of anticipation, in sum, nor the pleasures of recognition--and, unlike minimalist works by other artists, it isn't particularly attractive or interesting to look at.

Pub Date: April 21, 1983

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1983

Categories: CHILDREN'S