What Can a Mess Make?
by Bee Johnson; illus. by the author
Primary    Holt    48 pp.
8/24    9781250900241    $18.99

Two children create happy messes throughout their imaginative day, with each activity offering a whimsical answer to the question “What can a mess make?” There’s potential in each one. “Kitchen clatter. / Milk and juice. / Syrup splatter. / Chocolate mousse” transforms into “a meal for two.” “Rubber bands and cardboard box. / Coffee tin and shiny rocks” form instruments for a marching band. Even a quarrel (“A mess can make us scream and shout”) leads to a positive resolution (“Timer ticking. / Sorrys swapped”). Johnson’s rhythmic and rhyming text celebrates the joy found in spontaneous play and reinforces the message that creativity can often spring from disorder. The energetic illustrations, featuring minimal adult presence, amplify the sense of independent play. Warm red and orange tones infuse the story with a cozy and affectionate atmosphere, making it visually inviting and resonant with the themes of familial love and imaginative exploration. This story is an excellent read-aloud choice for families seeking a narrative that inspires creativity and celebrates sibling bonds.

From the ">September/October 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.