Reynolds, Peter H. The Best Kid in the World. Illustrated by the author. Simon & Schuster, New York, 2006. ISBN 0-6889-87624-6. $15.95. Ages 3-7.
Thoughtful little SugarLoaf is back again, and this time she is working towards the Best Kid in the World Award. When her brother is rummaging through his Remembering Box he comes across his Best Kid in the World Award that was presented to him by his parents prior to SugarLoaf’s birth. SugarLoaf is immediately jealous of his award as she discovers, “It was shiny. It was sparkly. It was dazzling,” and she is determined to win one of her very own. Although she tries and tries, her efforts to become extra accommodating to her family results in one disaster after another. Regardless, the story concludes with her parents issuing SugarLoaf her very own Best Kid in the World Award for her heartfelt attempts, and we are left feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Reynolds’ watercolor and ink illustrations are relatively simple, yet playful and cheery, but I’m left wondering exactly what kind of creature SugarLoaf is. Any child that has ever felt like they were competing with a sibling over their parent’s adoration will sympathize with the desperation and determination evident in this sugary sweet tale.
Melanie Fry, BGSU student
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