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THE WEBER STREET WONDER WORK CREW by Maxwell Newhouse

THE WEBER STREET WONDER WORK CREW

by Maxwell Newhouse & illustrated by Maxwell Newhouse

Pub Date: May 11th, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-88776-913-9
Publisher: Tundra Books

This cheery but misguided attempt at a social-studies lesson tries to show kids how they can make a little money while helping others and making their own neighborhood a better place to live. The introductory page indicates the kids are earning money, but there is no further discussion of their chores as employment or indication of payment. Each spread introduces a different child or pair of children doing their own special job, such as gardening, childcare, dog walking or helping with trash or recycling duties. The minimal text offers just a couple of sentences about each child, indicating that each is talented at that particular job, as well as mentioning the neighbor who is helped by the work. The illustrations are done in a folk-art style with a flattened perspective, but their detached quality and the dark, moody palette fail to engage readers. Two final spreads show the community at a block sale and a barbecue, but the murky hues and small scale make it hard to see what is happening in those illustrations. Too bad. (Picture book. 5-8)