Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Two children vie for playground domination.Donning crowns and formal 18th-century dress, Jonah (pale-skinned with regal black curls) and Lennox (dark-skinned with powerful puffball chignons) plant flags, draw strategic maps, haughtily bark commands, and plot to overthrow each other. The kids in the kingdom acquiesce half-heartedly, occasionally rolling their eyes at the rulers while continuing to frolic. Following these children's expressive postures, gestures, faces, and bright oval eyes and interpreting their individual reactions to the teeny tyrants is an increasingly enjoyable game. Each double-page spread stretches the elaborate playground panorama (ladders, platforms, slides, steps, tunnels, bridges) before readers' eyes, properly showing the emotional expanse it occupies in a child's world. Playgrounds thrum with egos, tears, fury, joy, alliances, betrayals, reconciliations, mutiny, plotting, sieges, companionship, revelry—and rulers. When the kids have had it with Jonah and Lennox's battles and migrate to a patch of trees, the two deflated monarchs relinquish their thrones and happily unite to forge a peaceable playground. Children struggling with tyrants (or the impulse to dictate) will find both laughter and comfort in Kuefler's playground, full of recognizable experiences, faces, and feelings. Winning satire for the jungle-gym set. (Picture book. 3-8)

ALA Booklist (Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2017)

Playground antics are taken to a new level when Jonah tfitted in a regal, puffy sleeved jacket clares himself the playground ruler, demanding his friends' allegiance if they wish to play there. All the kids agree except for Lennox, a feisty girl in a flouncy yellow dress, who stakes her own claim on the swings' side of the playground. "Cross you heart and promise to follow my rules," she cries as the kids scurry from Jonah's slides to her swings. This can only mean one thing: war. The two rulers draw up plans to conquer each other, only to find they have no subjects left to command, as their friends have retreated to neutral, less bossy territory. Lennox and Jonah survey their empty kingdoms and realize apologies are in order. Kuefler's high-spirited watercolor illustrations set the action and the diverse group of children against white backdrops, keeping the focus on the emerging coup. This playful lesson in camaraderie and social etiquette pairs well Olivier Tallec's tyrannical Louis I, King of the Sheep (2015).

Horn Book

One morning, Jonah decided to become ruler of the playground.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Two children vie for playground domination.Donning crowns and formal 18th-century dress, Jonah (pale-skinned with regal black curls) and Lennox (dark-skinned with powerful puffball chignons) plant flags, draw strategic maps, haughtily bark commands, and plot to overthrow each other. The kids in the kingdom acquiesce half-heartedly, occasionally rolling their eyes at the rulers while continuing to frolic. Following these children's expressive postures, gestures, faces, and bright oval eyes and interpreting their individual reactions to the teeny tyrants is an increasingly enjoyable game. Each double-page spread stretches the elaborate playground panorama (ladders, platforms, slides, steps, tunnels, bridges) before readers' eyes, properly showing the emotional expanse it occupies in a child's world. Playgrounds thrum with egos, tears, fury, joy, alliances, betrayals, reconciliations, mutiny, plotting, sieges, companionship, revelry—and rulers. When the kids have had it with Jonah and Lennox's battles and migrate to a patch of trees, the two deflated monarchs relinquish their thrones and happily unite to forge a peaceable playground. Children struggling with tyrants (or the impulse to dictate) will find both laughter and comfort in Kuefler's playground, full of recognizable experiences, faces, and feelings. Winning satire for the jungle-gym set. (Picture book. 3-8)

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

Kuefler (Beyond the Pond) returns with a smart, funny examination of power and control, set in the milieu of slides and swing sets. One day at the playground, a boy named Jonah appoints himself -king of this land.- He classmates quickly acquiesce, but asserting rule isn-t as easy as keeping it: a girl named Lennox asserts herself queen and claims the swings as her territory, and their classmates get caught in the ensuing power struggle. The careful detailing and muted palette of Kuefler-s previous book are just as appealing in this story, and his use of royal trappings bring understated humor to the conflict-Jonah and Lennox both wear crowns and other regalia, and small flags mark out their holdings on the seesaw and climbing dome as they attempt to out-conquer each other. Meanwhile, their classmates- growing displeasure can be read loud and clear on their faces, portending not a revolution but a lack of subjects as they take their play elsewhere. It-s a sly reminder that being in charge isn-t always as fun as it looks. Ages 4-8. Agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. (Apr.)

School Library Journal (Mon May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

PreS-Gr 3Jonah declares himself king of the playground. King Jonah and the other kids on the playground play peacefully, except for Lennox, who wants to rule the playground, too. She claims the side of the playground with swings as her queendom. All the other kids like the swings, so they agree. However, King Jonah is unhappy with Queen Lennox, the usurper. They divide the playground in two and with pencil, crayon, and paper draw out plans to expand their influence. Jonah and Lennox separately conquer the teeter-totter and the merry-go-round, all the while shouting demands of their vassals. Soon, there is nothing left to conquer and no friends left in the playground. After everyone goes away, being rulers of the playground loses its appeal. Jonah and Lennox make a new plan together: apologize to their friends and promise never to rule the playground again. Soon, the playground fills up with friends. Visually appealing mixed-media and digital illustrations contain a racially inclusive cast of supporting characters. The two rulers of the playground wear historical royal garb, and the addition of birds and one expressive puppy brings extra whimsy to the images. In darker tones set against a white background, the artwork plays the main role, as the text is much smaller and spare enough for storytime. VERDICT This readable title is sure to speak to bossy and not so bossy kids alike. A great choice for the beginning of the school year.Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services