Science Fiction/Fantasy, PreK-6th. Another

 Another by Christian Robinson

Springfield-Greene County Library (SGCL) places this item within the Children's Picture Book genre.

Target audience is children ages two to six, and grade levels preschool through third, and will be included in searches within juvenile fiction relating to imagination, voyages and travels, cats, and stories without words.

Another tells the story of a young girl, inseparable from her cat, and their journey into another world!  Together they encounter doppelgangers, alternative worlds, and a whole assortment of odd characters.  Filled with adventure and fantasy, Another is wordless - taking readers on a different journey each time they open it - what will your adventure be?

I was initially unaware that Another was wordless, but chose it after researching books for the appropriate age group featuring themes involving imagination and voyages.  Robinson's illustrations encourages readers to develop their own stories, creating endless possibilities!

For this entry, I will be evaluating character, pace, and illustrations.

The main characters are young girl and her cat, whom initially are sound asleep until awoken by a strange sight: a red toy mouse.  Hmmm. what to do?  The cat chases the mouse with the young girl close behind - just as one would expect!  Realism mixed with alternative reality provides powerful ingredients for fun and adventure - Robinson nudging readers beyond their comfort zones.  I believe the answer to the question regarding believability of the main characters' actions is simple: why are you looking for your pet now?

The book's fast pacing is evident within illustrations that change with each page - one feels compelled to follow the characters to see where they go next!  From the young girl being jolted awake and following her cat through unimaginable worlds, readers examine the pages at comfortable paces while still taking sufficient time to enjoy and absorb.  Other examples implying a fast pace include a multicolored treadmill, stairs, bouncey ball pit, and hula hoops, simply to mention a few!

Another's illustrations add to the plot in an interesting manner: without words, readers must develop their own words and BECOME the story!  Illustrations provide powerful examples of diversity and inclusion with different genders, races, interests, talents, abilities all occurring simultaneously.  For example, one the very first page, one witnesses multicolored circles adorning the young girl's hair - different strands attached to one head; metaphorical of numerous races composing one society.

Nicole, R. (2021). Another book cover image. Book Review: Another by Christian Robinson. Raising Real Readers. Retrieved June 2, 2024, from https://raisingrealreaders.com/book-review-another-by-christian-robinson/.

Robinson, C. (2019). Another (C. Robinson, Illus.). Atheneum, Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.