The Hueys in What’s the Opposite? by Oliver Jeffers

The Hueys in What’s the Opposite? by Oliver Jeffers (published January 2016)

So I’m a fan of the Hueys.  Of course I am.  They’re cute and I like cute things.  (I still like Hello Kitty and I still have my Paul Frank tee-shirt and purse collection.  And, yes, they make Hello Kitty Vans in my size.)  Not only are they cute, they’re quirky.  Sign me up!
While I was waiting for What’s the Opposite? to come out, I borrowed It Wasn’t Me and The New Sweater.  (The New Jumper if you’re English.)  The Hueys are simply drawn, yet still relatable.  The story lines are engaging and my youngest had a fun time reading it over and over again.  

However, I have to admit that I enjoyed the previous books prior to What’s the Opposite? more.  Maybe it was because I already knew the characters, or maybe there wasn’t enough ‘plot’ for me.  Or maybe because, if I’m being honest, I felt like Oliver Jeffers felt like he had to do an opposites book eventually just for teaching purposes.  Now, I’m all for teaching in picture books—I mean, The New Sweater is all about being yourself and not being a sheep or lemming or just another Huey—but I just felt like something was missing.  What that something is, I’m not sure.  (If I knew then I’d have my own picture books published….)

Oh, and if you’re checking out Oliver Jeffers for the first time—which I doubt because I’m sure you’ve read The Day the Crayons Quit only a million times (which he illustrated)—check out one of my faves of his: The Great Paper Caper.  It’s about a bear.  And recycling.  And paper planes.  Plus a caper, of course.  Check it out, you won’t regret it.

Rating: lower to mid-shelf (Lowest shelf is the highest because it means little hands can grab the book easily, thus forcing you to read the book repeatedly.  So honestly, I’d put this one on the low-middle shelf because while I don’t mind (and I have) reading What’s the Opposite? repeatedly, I enjoy some of his other Huey books more.  

Rating: Buy it or borrow it or skip it?
Me: Borrow it.  If you like the Hueys, you’ll enjoy reading this one once or twice.  I like books about opposites—lots of learning for preschoolers,preK-kids, TK kids and kindergarteners.  

Little Lion Bookworm Review:  I like the one with the sweater better.
(Me too, little one, me too.)

An excerpt from The Hueys in What's the Opposite? by Oliver Jeffers