KIDS LIKE US

As the yellow bus pulls away into the drizzle, it leaves behind a cluster of energetic youngsters at preschool, ready for a day of playacting. The mastery of this book lies in the portrayal of the world through the children’s creative perspective. By overlaying each illustration of the kids’ actual activities with slightly transparent gouache, Morgan beautifully brings to life what they’re all imagining. As the fire engine goes by, readers see “Firefighters like us!” with squirting hoses and cherry-red helmets. As they rummage through the costume trunk and pull back the purple curtain to put on a show, readers see “Clowns like us!” as they “Yee-ha!” and “Wa-hoo!” into circus antics. When they venture into the jungle, readers see “Dinosaurs like us!” as ordinary dinosaur toys transform the children into T. rex and Apatosaurus. Each page rings with such wonderfully onomatopoeic sounds as “Wuffle,” “Scritchy-scratch” and “Ring-a-ding!” The names of colors appear in appropriately hued inks, providing an extra learning experience. A sure-fire impetus for rousing make-believe play! (Picture book. 3-6)