MORE OR LESS

Two little words, more and less, tell a tale of sustainable practices in an era of excess.

In a house of “plenty,” a child notices the sheer amount of stuff that the whole family has accumulated. Perturbed by the pileup of objects, the youngster gathers items to distribute among friends. More opportunities to collect (“more”) and give away (“less”) occur, including a donation request for the local senior center and a swap meet. Conveying the idea that it’s better to give than to receive, Hughes relies on just a word or two per spread. The word plenty bookends the beginning and the ending of the narrative, reestablishing a kind of platonic ideal in a world of superfluous overabundance. The storytelling feels jumbled, however. The connection between the text and the visuals isn’t always clear; children may be unsure why the word less accompanies a scene of the kids piling a wagon with items, for instance. While parsing the story with an adult may spark fruitful discussion about generosity and recycling, it might also lead to further confusion. Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator Mora’s lovely cut-paper artwork gives the book a handmade feel appropriate for its subject matter. The family at the center of the tale is multiracial; their community is diverse.

Visually enticing but ultimately puzzlingly expressed meditations on sustainability.