The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Buckley, Michael

Kel Gilligan's Daredevil Stunt Show

40 pp. | Abrams | September, 2012 | Trade ISBN 978-1-4197-0379-9 $16.95

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dan Santat. Kel Gilligan, intrepid stunt kid, shows off some daring feats: eating broccoli, using the potty, and getting dressed (solo!). Astonished asides ("Without a net? / He's crazy!") from onlookers (his family) help make this hero's depiction, laced with action-packed graphic illustrations, utterly clever. The clear joke--that there's greatness in a child successfully completing everyday tasks--will resonate with independence-loving children.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden