I saw this book and, now, need to know what is on the other side of that wall, especially with the winter vs. spring/summer contrast. And dinosaurs? This must be quite the special wall!
So, let's grab our own ropes and see what this books let us find on the other side.
THE INCREDIBLE OTHER SIDE
by Andrew J. Ross
Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Picture Book
50 pages
ages 4 to 8
COMING OCTOBER 6th!!!
From author-illustrator and storyboard artist Andrew J. Ross, whose credits including K-Pop Demon Hunters, this is an excellently paced, superbly funny story, promoting creative problem-solving and the power of imagination—featuring a clever novelty cut-out hole, to finally reveal the secret of the wall!
What’s behind the mysterious wall? Join the characters who are trying to find out, in this mischievous picture book—perfect for Jon Klassen fans!
There’s something INCREDIBLE, just behind the wall . . . But how do you get past it? This group of kids is DETERMINED to find out!
The kid with the green hat tries to dig under the wall—but the shovel breaks!
The kid with the yellow hat tries to climb over the wall—but the rope snaps!
The kids with the red and purple hats try a ladder—but it falls apart!
At last, the smallest kid steps up. “If you can’t go under the wall,” she says, “and you can’t go over, you have to go through.” “Ridiculous!” the others scoff, and away they stomp together. But maybe you do need to think a little differently . . . if you want to reach the INCREDIBLE OTHER SIDE.
What’s behind the mysterious wall? Join the characters who are trying to find out, in this mischievous picture book—perfect for Jon Klassen fans!
There’s something INCREDIBLE, just behind the wall . . . But how do you get past it? This group of kids is DETERMINED to find out!
The kid with the green hat tries to dig under the wall—but the shovel breaks!
The kid with the yellow hat tries to climb over the wall—but the rope snaps!
The kids with the red and purple hats try a ladder—but it falls apart!
At last, the smallest kid steps up. “If you can’t go under the wall,” she says, “and you can’t go over, you have to go through.” “Ridiculous!” the others scoff, and away they stomp together. But maybe you do need to think a little differently . . . if you want to reach the INCREDIBLE OTHER SIDE.
MY TIDBITS
Expectations run high in this clever tale about what might be behind a wall and how to reach the other side.
A young child stands at a huge wall watching as other children try their best to get to the other side. First, there's a shovel. Then, comes a rope. Everyone seems determined and prepared to find a way across, but nobody is willing to listen to the young child who watches them.
This is one of those picture books, which takes a slightly different twist and opens up to some food for thought. And it does it without feeling preachy or boring. Instead, the tale grabs and awakens curiosity. The children are sure that their way of getting across is unbeatable. After all, the shovel is amazingly sturdy, and the ladder is very tall. Each time the determination radiates from the page, and it begins to expose a stubbornness with a hint of arrogance, too. So, the reader can't help but sympathize with the young child who is watching. It's a clever play, which opens up to the wonder of imagination to create a lovely read.
The illustrations carry a rougher style, which works very well with the cold setting. Only the children's eye-areas are visible as the are tightly bundled up due to the cold. They also carry a bulky, no-nonsense attitude as they march to try each attempt. Until they fall. Then, their faces are exposed. The young child who watches, however, might be bundled, but her face is more visible to give her a slightly softer appeal. Each scene shows the situation clearly and lets the emotions come across nicely.
The text is playfully and carefully placed to create a fun read-aloud. It has a repetitive flair, which makes it easy for listeners to sink into and adds a little foreshadowing to what might happen with each new attempt. It's kept short and clear, making it great for even more reluctant listeners.
There's a huge surprise at the end, which flips everything on its head and leaves with a sense of wonder and possibilities. I see this as being one of those reads, which is picked up time and again, and will remain with listeners long after the story time is done.
And here he is...
Andrew J. Ross is a Canadian illustrator and designer. He has over a decade’s experience in animation, collaborating with studios including Paramount, Sony, Illumination and DreamWorks, among others, and has worked as a storyboard artist on projects including K-Pop Demon Hunters, Penguins of Madagascar, and movies in the Kung Fu Panda and Ice Age franchises. Ross shares his work and creative process under the name Tiny Fortress on social media and operates from Toronto.
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