THE RUN

A metafictive, mystery-and–potty-book mashup that actually…works!

Beginning with the jacket art, Barroux expertly propels readers through this fast-paced picture book. The cover shows a group of animals crowded at the spine as a very young child runs to the right, compelling readers to open the book. Inside, pacing is akin to Sue Williams and Julie Vivas’ I Went Walking (1990) or one of Jan Brett’s cumulative stories, with a guessing game at each page turn. Kicking things off, a rhino runs across the verso copyright page following a creature that’s barely visible at the recto title page’s edge. Only a webbed foot and black wing appear there, acting as a visual page-turner speeding up progress to the main text. There appears a trio of webbed-footed, black-winged penguins running toward the gutter. On the facing recto, a tufted yellow tail leads to the next page turn under a yellow speech balloon reading “Hello? Hello?” The speaker remains offstage for several spreads, continually asking why the animals are running. Are they being chased? In a race? Pursuing a special treat? Finally, a large, red speech balloon reads “STOP”—and the page turn reveals the child from the book’s cover seated on a toilet and reading a book. This book, in fact. But why were the animals running? Knocks on the bathroom door hold the answer: “WE WANT TO PEE!” cry the animals when the child, who appears white, opens the door.

Run to pick up this one.