Wilson Sat Alone

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Wilson sits, eats, reads, plays, and walks home alone, ignored by his classmates. A smiling new girl comes and soon befriends the other children; she also notices Wilson, however, and tries to include him. The kids assure her that he wants to be left alone but, to everyone's surprise, Wilson responds immediately to her overtures and from then on he ``...was not alone anymore.'' The absence of an adult in the story will help young audiences to see their own power and responsibility to effect change. The acrylic illustrations, done in soft masses of popsicle lime, orange, and grape, keep the mood bright. This attractive book could sensitize children to the social contract in a classroom; hopefully, an adult will be on hand to make the point that choosing to be alone sometimes is O.K., too.-Patricia (Dooley) Lothrop Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI