Synopsis
Is it a meatball? A basketball? A pearl? As the round hole through the pages of this book grows larger, readers will come closer and closer to guessing the identity of the object that's round like a ball, hot and cold, every color, always moving, and home to us all. With a simple text and glorious collage artwork, Lisa Campbell Ernst offers a gentle tribute to our planet and a timely reminder that we all need to take care of it.
Children's Literature
Readers are invited to play a guessing game: think of something round like a ball, and look at the small cutout on the page. Other clues are given: this ball is quite beautiful and has many colors—guesses include a pearl and a gumball. As readers turn the pages, the hole gets bigger, exposing more of the answer, and more clues are provided—always moving, hot and cold, wet and dry—no, it is not a fishbowl. This ball is surrounded by air and is hard and strong. Now sharp eyes should see the continents emerging on this ball, but they blend in with the blue sky and swirling clouds, so they are not distinct. Finally, the answer is revealed, and the closing pages offer a four page gatefold showing our big, round earth. This beautiful place we call home is followed by tips on how to care for the earth—recycle, plant flowers, conserve water, watch less TV, and play fewer electronic games (energy conservation and also a personal health issue). It is all there, and it was fun finding the answer. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot