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South

by Patrick McDonnell



      Patrick McDonnell’s wordless book (with the exception of weep, weep , weeep) South makes one think of the old adage, "One picture is worth a thousand words."

The simple story is that of Mooch the Cat’s effort to help a little yellow bird whose flock has left for the South and left him behind. The beauty of the genre is that the reader (looker) can put in as much or as little detail as he wishes as long as he sticks to the bigger themes of helping the weak, the smaller and the sad.

A reader might think, "If a bird and a cat can get along, surely the different races and cultures should be able to live together peacefully."  The reader is invited to think what he might when another cat and a dog see this unusual alliance.

Near the end of the story a heart is drawn above the little bird’s head to indicate his love for Mooch. It would be an interesting exercise for an adult to hand the book to a child and ask him / her to "read" the story. This is a delightful book.

The Book

Little, Brown Young Readers
September 1, 2008
Hardback (picture book)
0316005096
Children's Fiction Ages 4-8
More at Amazon.com
Excerpt
NOTE: Patrick McDonnell is the award winning author of the comic strip Mutts, featuring Mooch

The Reviewer

Willie Elliott
Reviewed 2008
NOTE:
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