EDDIE’S KINGDOM

Eddie’s kingdom is an apartment building that houses a mixture of eccentric tenants. In fact, their idiosyncrasies can be downright irritating, leading to mistrust and misunderstandings. Eddie is being blamed for setting off smoke alarms, playing loud music and making babies cry. One day he decides to draw a picture of each neighbor. While drawing, he discovers the real culprits and he makes suggestions to solve the problems. When his task is complete, he invites them all to the roof to view his masterpiece. When he unveils it, there is great hilarity, for he has depicted each person as an animal. Now there are smiles and laughter in the building, and it has become a peaceable kingdom. Johnson’s goofy illustrations are childlike, with skewed perspectives, and a mixture of black and white and color, as if Eddie himself contributed his artistic skills. Fun for all. (Picture book. 4-8)