cover image Oscar

Oscar

Amber Tayler, illus. by Kelly Ewing Powell. Robertson Publishing (www.Robertson-Publishing.com), $9.99 paper ISBN 978-1-61170-057-2

Inspired by the childhood transgressions of Tayler's (What Do Monsters Look Like?) son, this breezy book chronicles a day in the life of a free-spirited toddler and his beleaguered mother. The day starts out auspiciously, with Oscar putting on his matching dinosaur T-shirt and underwear, reminding his mother that "that meant it was going to be a good day." Alas, not for her. In quick succession, Oscar pours milk in Grandma's purse ("I had to remind mom to use her quiet voice"); buries his mother's jewelry in the yard ("I had to remind mom we should forgive others"); and sets free his spider collection indoors ("I had to remind mom we should love all of God's creatures"). While kids will be tickled by the rampant mischief, a few lines break the illusion of a small boy narrating; after Oscar repaints the living room walls, he says, "I had to remind mom we should enjoy all forms of artistic expression." Powell's energetic paintings easily keep up with Oscar's exuberance, and her round-cornered rectangular scenes are suggestive of family photos from a busy, messy day. Ages 3%E2%80%93up.