MR. MORNINGTON'S FAVORITE THINGS

A child acknowledges an older friend’s memory loss.

A craggy-faced, red-capped, pale-skinned elder, Mr. Mornington (reminiscent of John Burningham’s characters) is “the best saxophonist in the world,” according to the book’s narrator and Mr. Mornington’s neighbor, a small brown-skinned child. The little one visits through a special hedge-gate to bring Mr. Mornington sweet treats: “We have a deal. Mr. Mornington fills our garden with music and we fill his tummy with cherry cakes!” Mr. M.’s memory is not what it was, though: He forgets to get dressed properly before going shopping, for instance. But he offers to teach the child to become the world’s “second-best” saxophonist. By the time a child-size sax arrives, however, he’s gone; he even forgot to say goodbye. Mom (also brown-skinned) explains that Mr. Mornington has moved to a new home where he’ll get the care he needs. Before visiting him, the child practices their favorite song. Without his cap, sax, or cherry cake, Mr. Mornington is diminished, but the child visits often and plays for him, sometimes without much effect but sometimes eliciting the ghost of a smile, as he perhaps remembers. Both characters’ favorite things are delightfully evoked in a stream of images flowing from the saxophone horn: Mr. Mornington’s house, dog, and more; the child’s cat (featured in many separate frames), mom, and friends. George has crafted a simple yet moving and child-friendly tale enhanced by understated watercolor-esque vignettes. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Certain to linger with readers.