With understated humor and off-beat characters, newcomer Weinstock introduces Gordimer, a plump everybird who works in the "Atlas Thimble Co. Manufactory," miserably punching dimples in thimbles with his beak. Like Steig's Sylvester, Gordimer finds a "magic pebble," but as the droll narrator muses, "having
a magic pebble was one thing. Getting the magic out
of it was an entirely different can of worms." Inventive and eccentric compositions in muted seagreens and pastel blues picture Gordimer trying various comical ploys until he finally concludes, "This was no magic pebble." Readers then discover the hero has a closet full of "magic" twigs, strings, beans and the like. Soon after, he gathers the sundry items to build a "reminder," that he "could no longer believe in magic things." But he discovers in the process that creating something and sharing it with a friend is what gives him pleasure. Weinstock's images and text are clever (an homage to Charlie Chaplin depicts a Chihuahua eating a shoe), but the book's obscure theme will likely evade most youngsters (who may be disappointed not to see the completed "reminder" structure). On several spreads, readers can hardly make out the industrious character in the murky scenes. Adults, too, may find it difficult to interpret the subtle visual and textual clues that tease out the story's theme. Nonetheless, Weinstock's sly humor and understated wit stand out in this promising debut, and mark him as a talent to watch. Ages 5-8. (Oct.)
