Wallace's Lists

Bottner, Barbara; Kruglik, Gerald; Gerald Kruglik

ISBN 10: 0060002255 ISBN 13: 9780060002251

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, 2004

Synopsis

Wallace, a mouse, could do almost anything. Anything that is, as long as he had a list.

1. Wallace is a shy mouse.
2. He writes lists. Lists of recipes, funny words, and frightening experiences.
3. Wallace meets his lively neighbor named Albert.
4. His world is swiftly opened to new delights, such as painting and music.
5. Wallace and Albert experience the excitement of an adventure, and Wallace discovers a new joy.
6. Friendship.

About this title

About the Author:

Barbara Bottner is the author of many favorites for young readers, including Rosa's Room, illustrated by Beth Spiegel; the ever-popular Bootsie Barker Bites, illustrated by Peggy Rathmann; and Bootsie Barker Ballerina, also an I Can Read Book, illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Together with her husband, Gerald Kruglik, Ms. Bottner has authored the award-winning picture book Wallace's Lists, illustrated by Olof Landström, and the I Can Read Book Pish and Posh, which she illustrated.

From Publishers Weekly:

Three reasons to read coauthors Bottner and Kruglik's (Pish and Posh) new tale: 1. The two unlikely mouse heroes—the cautious, list-making Wallace and his light-hearted companion Albert—develop a friendship in which Wallace's shortcomings turn out to be assets. 2. The book might dare readers to discover something new about themselves, too. 3. The plot inspires Landström's (the Boo and Baa series) tongue-in-cheek artwork, which provides lots of witty entertainment. Wallace, a bespectacled mouse in shorts and a bowtie, wants to say hello to his new neighbor, but he can't—it's not on his list of things to do that day. (Readers are treated to many of Wallace's lists, written neatly on lined paper.) Albert wears an old undershirt, sports long hair and never hesitates to revise his plans: "Changing my mind is an adventure," he tells Wallace, who listens, appalled but rapt. Eventually Albert's rash adventure-seeking casts Wallace in the reluctant but gratifying role of hero. He remains steadfast in crises, it turns out, and comforts Albert when his wacky plans go awry. Taking a leaf from classic '30s cartoons, Landström furnishes interiors with many small but solid-looking items, visual tokens of Wallace's need for familiarity. His hilarious spreads make liberal use of crosshatching and gestural lines: cats are drenched with water; lightning strikes; luggage carousels send Wallace flying. Bottner and Kruglik don't insist on a magic transformation from Wallace—he just has to learn to bend a little. This one goes on the recommended list. Ages 4-7. (June)
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About this edition

• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0060002255
• ISBN 13: 9780060002251
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Landstrom Olof