Wallace's Lists

Rating:
Summary: How are things in Glockamorra?
Review: If someone were to walk up to you, place a gun to your head, and demand that you tell them the name of at least one really great Swedish children's book illustrator, how would you fare? What if it was a banana they held to your head? A mild sedative? Well, thanks to "Wallace's Lists" you need never fear this potentially dangerous/messy/sleepy scenario again. It is illustrated by the uniquely talented Olof Landstrom, and written by the delightful Barbara Bottner and Gerald Kruglik making it one of those rare Swedish/Florida crossovers that's so hip with the kids these days. The book points out the potential pitfalls that come when a person plans out their life a little too well and fails to allow for any variety or excitement. And though this lesson might be better suited for a fifty-year-old, within the context of the book it works rather beautifully for little children.

Wallace has it all figured out. Whatever it is he wishes to do with his day, he first makes a list. Wallace is a bit of a list addict. He has lists of his favorite stories and pets and weather and all sorts of stuff. He even has a huge book of them all collected together. One day a new fellow moves in next to our hero. The new guy, Albert, is far more adventurous than Wallace, and suggests that the two of them take a trip to Glockamorra. When Wallace sleeps in and Albert takes this non appearance as a sign that he's not interested in the trip, Albert leaves on his own. What Albert doesn't know is that a dangerous storm is on its way. Wallace must warn him before it's too late. Even if that means not adhering to lists.

I was deeply glad that this book didn't turn out to be a kind of odd couple/Ernie & Bert tale done in picture book form with mice. The story of the uptight stick in the mud and the crazy frat guy has been done to death in children's literature. What sets "Wallace's Lists" apart from these is the fact that the book isn't saying that what Wallace does (making lists) is a bad or stupid thing to do. It's just saying that a person should be a little flexible once in a while and that if your guard is down sometimes, lovely things can happen to you. I also liked that Albert never mocked Wallace at any point. When Wallace points out that he may not want to go to Glockamorra because List #8 says he hates rain streaming down his glasses, sand in his shoe, being hot, being cold, being wet, and being lost, Albert simply says, "Hmmm. It is quite possible that at least one of those things might happen if you went to Glockamorra". This is a subdued response, pairing perfectly with the serene illustration of Albert calmly hanging a picture he's painted over the huge gaping hole he created moments ago in his wall.

In fact, the illustrations in this book are delightful. They have a somewhat European feel to them, with Wallace in his flat blue hat and square glasses. At first the book looks as if the pictures in it are simply cartoonish drawings lacking in form and function. Then you get to an absolutely ripping two-page spread of rain drenching the nearby airport and you gain a new respect for Mr. Landstrom's work.

The best recommendation I can give this is to say that it features the kind of friendship you'd find in Arnold Lobel's, "Frog and Toad" books. Just two good friends having a fun time and learning a little in the process. A book that will leave you with a good feeling after you've finished it.