Chopsticks (review)

In this companion book to Spoon, Rosenthal outlines the amusing activities of a pair of chopsticks who are not only working partners but also BFFs. Then the tip of one chopstick is broken in an unfortunate encounter with an asparagus spear, and after getting medical attention (the glue bottle mends him and wraps the "wound" with a bandage) the injured chopstick must "stay off it until it sets." At first, the non-injured chopstick stays close by his friend's side, but the injured one finally tells him, "You need to get out . . . venture off on your own a bit." The chopsticks discover that time away from each other can also be a good thing: "Unexpectedly, being apart had made each of them even stronger." Rosenthal's message about friendship isn't exactly subtle, but it also isn't preachy, and the kitchenware antics keep the mood light and humorous. Multiple textual and visual puns ("Chopstick was quickly whisked away" is accompanied by a picture of the injured chopstick being carried off by a whisk with a first aid cross-emblazoned handle) will also tickle kids' funny bones, as will the slew of pop-eyed, anthropomorphized utensils. The slightly muted colors of Magoon's gently goofy digital art are well matched to the amusing yet thoughtful tone of the text. While Spoon would be the obvious partner to this title, it also might buddy up well with the comical and equally anthropomorphic characters of Grey's Traction Man Is Here (BCCB 5/05), or it could be used as a springboard for creative writing, art, or puppet performances involving kitchen utensils and googly eyes.