Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2007)

A busy boy named Leo wishes there were more of him to do his work. But when more Leos--eventually ten altogether--show up, the tasks just expand to make them all frantic. This thin premise leads to the inevitable conclusion that a less hectic schedule, leaving time for daydreaming, is best. The amusingly wispy illustrations are rendered in ink, watercolor, and tea.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Leo is a "busy lad"-so busy, in fact, that he wishes for a second Leo to share his chores. Just like that, another Leo appears-and another-and another. But instead of reducing his workload, all the extra Leos only seem to increase it. With so much personnel to manage, things eventually become complicated enough to justify a sixth Leo, who enters the picture as a kind of consultant-and who advises the others to bring in a seventh. The situation deteriorates from there, until-with 10 Leos running themselves ragged-the original lad ultimately concludes that efficiency and productivity are sometimes overrated. Reynolds's ink, watercolor, and tea illustrations begin spare and simple and get progressively more frantic as the book's population explodes. The story ends with a much more serene Leo, alone again, savoring his peace, quiet, and refreshingly uncluttered schedule. Consider this a solid supplemental purchase for collections with the space-and, of course, the time!-to spare.-Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Reynolds (<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Ish) creates a lighthearted yet insightful fable about the repercussions of overscheduled lives. The tale's opening line—"Leo was a busy lad"—appears opposite a picture of a blond boy diligently multitasking. No matter how hard he works, there is always more to do, so he decides to make a to-do list. Alas that list grows and grows, leading Leo to utter, "So few of me and so much to do. If only there were <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">two of me." Immediately, there is a knock on the door, which Leo opens to find an identical replica of himself. The two find even more to do—as do the subsequent Leos—until there are 10 in all, "each one busier than the next." Though his conscientious clones announce there is no time to rest, exhausted Leo slips away to take a nap. Still savoring his naptime dream, Leo wonders, "What if I did less—but did my <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">best?" Rendered in watercolor, ink and tea, Reynolds's art provides a deft balance of spare pages and comically cluttered compositions, and gives the various Leos an entertaining array of facial expressions. An engaging and eye-opening tale for over-programmed kids and the adults who set their schedules. All ages. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Sept.)

Kirkus Reviews

Mop-topped man-boy Leo has so much to do that even making a list doesn't help. When his double shows up at the door, Leo thinks his problems are solved. But the number of jobs only increases as the number of new Leos multiplies. While the moralistic ending is a bit of a letdown, there's a lot to like here. Beginning with the aquamarine cover that resembles a notebook and the lined endpapers that look like composition paper, the book design is intriguing and inviting. Reynolds's adept handling of line is on display in the lively, color-drenched drawings of Leo and his pets. Paired with minimalist text, these spare portraits glow amid backgrounds that are softly colored yet clearly defined and set against crisp, white space. While there's an adult sensibility at work, the gentle humor and counting element tip the scales towards a child audience. (Picture book. 5-8)