The deadpan humour and simple but, oh-so-expressive illustrations with their bold, black outlines, mark this out as another John Agee classic. But I cannot help but wonder if there is a little in joke thrown in for us adults? Can you think of another George and Lennie (sic) with one being gigantically bigger than the other, just like our bear and rabbit friends here? Of Mice and Men anyone? Maybe just a coincidence? But it gave me an added smile!
This George and Lenny are best friends and always together, but Lenny begins to wonder what being alone would be like? George thinks it will be lonely and sad, but Lenny starts to think that it might be fun and he finds a perfect place since it only fits one. Lenny does have fun alone. He plays music, reads a book, builds with blocks and much more. But soon he realizes that he misses George. Don’t worry, George too has found a perfect place to be alone, right nearby so Lenny can join him. Why is it the best? ‘Because we’re together!’
The dialogue is consistently gentle, and the body language and expressions really convey the character’s thoughts. It is a good lesson to learn, that sometimes people need a little down time and allowing that can be the test of a true friendship. Entirely age appropriate and a good discussion starter.
George and Lenny are always together. And it's terrific. They are never alone! So what happens when one of them decides it's time to try some alone time? Is there a way for them to be alone together?
Wanting to be alone sometimes and together sometimes is a universal and relatable subject which appeals equally to adults and children making this title a wonderful adult to adult gift as well as an irresistible, funny read for all ages.
‘One of our favourite authors! We are going to buy everything he writes.’ - Bookbairn Of My Dad is a Tree.
‘Agee conveys so much emotion through changing facial expression in the simple but bold illustrations, and the bond between father and daughter is truly heartwarming.’ - Daily Mail
Author
About Jon Agee
Jon Agee is the author and illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Life on Mars, Lion Lessons, Little Santa and The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau.
He has been long listed for the UKLA award with The Wall in the Middle of the Book and It's only Stanley, and in America he has won an Irma Black Honor, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor and much more. Jon's life sales are over 2 million copies. He is also the creator of a series of popular wordplay books, beginning with the collection of palindromes: Go Hang a Salami! I'm a Lasagna Hog!
Jon grew up along the Hudson River in Nyack, New York, and went to college at The Cooper Union School of Art in New York City. He now lives in California with his wife, Audrey.
Terrific and Milo's Hat Trick between them have won New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books, ALA Notable Book, Horn Book Fanfare, PW Best Books of the Year, Book Sense Top Ten Pick and LA Times Best Children's Picture Books Miami Herald Top Ten.
