SNEEZENESIA

What might happen if a sneeze is too powerful? One young boy finds out in this imaginative tale. While grocery shopping with his mom, an attack of sneezes hits. With each “achoo,” the boy loses more of his memories—first his name, then his mother. The numbers, Squanto and the Pilgrims, the presidents, the dinosaurs, his favorite baseball team and Christmas all end up scattered on the grocery floor. Like a balloon, his brain had gone empty. A tearful sniff provides the suction solution he needs for his memories and pulls his mother back to him…where she helps get rid of the green thing hanging out of his nose. Lucke’s choice of mixed-media illustration is well suited to the mishmash of knowledge that comes shooting out the boy’s nose, green slime and spray sometimes accompanying them. Various perspectives give readers plenty of opportunity to see the action. Additional sneeze facts are listed on the rear flap, and the back cover sports some helpful (and humorous) warnings. If nothing else, this cautionary tale may get readers to cover their sneezes in fear of forgetting something vital. (Picture book. 3-7)