Title: Hello Hello
Author/Illustrator: Brendan Wenzel
Age Group: 1-6
Synopsis: A fun journey through some of the amazing creatures that make up of planet.
The Lowdown:
We’re pretty huge Brendan Wenzel fans so when I heard Hello Hello was coming out I started itching to get my hands on it. This 2018 release was a fun deviation from many of our other books and tiptoes towards poetry. In addition to a different story structure to intrigue us, Wenzel delivers (as always) some pretty amazing illustrations. His style: bright, engaging, and vivid, brings these animals and his overarching message to life.
Each page of this book discusses animals, although discuss might be overstating it. The text throughout the story is extremely basic, with a maximum of six words per page. However, that doesn’t stop Wenzel from getting a more complex point across. Each set of text describes the differences of the creatures on that set page. Whether it’s highlighting the difference in color, shape, or size, there is, in point of fact, an instantly recognizable dividing factor. The text helps younger readers identify opposites. At the same time, in collaboration with the illustrations, it provides older readers with an opportunity for diverse discussion.
While the text underlines the dissimilarities between each species pictured, Wenzel artistically pairs the animals so that there is something that connects each animal with the one next to it. Whether it’s the shape of feet, the colors or patterns, or some other unique attribute, by creating this juxtaposition, Wenzel succeeds in delivering a message of connectivity. Whether it’s animals or people, there are many differences between us. However there are also a myriad of similarities that connect us. That, in and of itself, is a reason to care for those around us. Wenzel ends his book with a note about Endangered and Threatened animals and encouraging us all to, if nothing else, say hello.
Story Tips:
- Let little ones find similarities in the animals they see. We take turns with this as some can be a bit more difficult to spot.
- Use “Hello Hello” as a reminder phrase to include and empathize with those around you.
I need more!
Check out my review of Brendan Wenzel’s They All Saw a Cat.
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