This is a darling reminder that sometimes, it’s not the amount of work you do but the type that really makes a difference. As the animals bemoan their lack of progress—Mole, Cheetah, and Grasshopper can’t believe cleaning up a sandbox takes so long, and the paint crew keeps messing up their background—Mouse thoughtfully observes, reflecting that “they had been going since breakfast, but they didn’t seem any closer to being finished.” Mitropoulos transforms Mouse’s wise assessment into an inspiring speech during the animals’ lunch break, with Mouse teaching his friends that “Working smarter means using our clever brains to find new ways to do things… “It’s like solving a puzzle!”
Younger readers will love Watson’s flashy illustrations, spotlighting the animal group engaged in all sorts of lively goings-on; whether it’s Bear painting colorful swirls on the fence before Giraffe has a chance to layer the white background, Frog in his eyeglasses taking over the watering for the planting crew, or Mouse himself—sporting a construction had and binoculars as he keeps a watchful eye on the group, the graphics are a twirling, spinning montage of fun. Mitropoulos closes with activities adults and kids can do at home and school to practice “work[ing] smarter, not harder.”
Takeaway: Animal friends learn smart ways to organize their work for better results.
Comparable Titles: Adam Rex’s Unstoppable, Diane Alber’s A Little SPOT of Teamwork.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
