A young student dreads the second week of school. This is when Mrs. Truman, her teacher, assigns research topics, which are to be presented before the class. "Amber D. got similes and Angelo got puns, while I've been asked to give a presentation on something that gives human traits to stuff that isn't people; my teacher calls it per-son-if-i-ca-tion." With no idea how she's going to present her topic, the tan-skinned girl enjoys a moment of repose at a nearby park after school. Saved by an interesting turn of events the following day, she comes up with the perfect solution to her conundrum: "How about a field trip, so I can show the class the way some things can be described as human?" Personification runs rampant in this clever read. Cleary's first-person narrative, in catchy, rhyming verses, flows seamlessly with Crimmins' playful cartoon scenes, rendered in sketchy, doodle-like lines and full of a diverse cast of characters. Closing with a page packed with examples of personification, this will be a great addition to both school and home grammar collections.

An illustrated primer that explains personification even as it employs it.Cleary here tackles the concept of personification with the graphic assistance of Dublin-based illustrator Crimmins, making her picture-book debut. While other classmates are assigned "similes" and "puns," Cleary's primary-grade first-person speaker must give a presentation on the heady topic of personification, "something that gives human traits to stuff that isn't people"—not exactly Webster's definition but descriptive enough to get the creative wheels turning. Speaking in rhymed verse, the young girl reveals: "That ‘stuff' could be a garbage truck, December, or the wind— / a noun that has no heartbeat, eyes, or mouth. / It compares what something does to things that people do, / like ‘Angry storms are marching through the South.' " Crimmins subtly doubles down on the fun with playful mixed-media illustrations, which depict a diverse classroom. Amber D. (a white girl assigned "similes") holds a raspberry-pink lunchbox that features the face of a pig and says "hungry as a…," while Angelo (a black boy tasked with "puns") sports a T-shirt emblazoned with a strawberry-iced doughnut ringed by the cheery message "donut worry be happy." Though Cleary cleverly employs numerous examples of personification as his speaker (who has light-brown skin, brown hair, and freckles) works through her project, they beg the question whether the children most likely to understand the concept will appreciate the picture-book format. A sophisticated concept that will require some active teaching to communicate it. (Picture book. 7-12)

Although a young girl is nervous about her upcoming in-class presentation about personification, she clearly defines the concept and offers numerous relevant examples as she goes about her day ("my worries packed their bags and walked away"). The narrative construct and rhyme scheme occasionally feel forced, but whimsical mixed-media illustrations complement the textual examples. An appended "More About Personification" section reinforces the lesson.

K-Gr 2Grasping language concepts can often be a frustrating experience for young ones. This title takes the idea of personification and makes it understandable and accessible. The story centers around a girl who must research and present a report to her class on nonhuman things with human characteristics. She understands her topic but she's just not sure how she will explain it to her peers. A walk through the park fills the student with plenty of ways to convey her topic. From waltzing daffodils to a whispering breeze to a coughing lawn mower, her head is suddenly filled with examples. The entire class ends up taking an impromptu field trip to discover even more wonderful demonstrations of personification. VERDICT This work is sure to engage primary-grade students with its simple yet instructive story line and delightful illustrations. A good choice for classroom use as well as pleasure reading.Mary Jennings, Camano Island Library, WA