Rating: Very Good
Farrar Straus Giroux, 2010, $16.99
ISBN: 9780374347253
Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8
This unique picture book tells the tale of Magnus Maximus, an old man who likes to measure things. But he doesn't just measure normal things, he likes to measure all kinds of crazy things like the wobbliness of a jellyfish or the itchiness of an itch. The book is nicely illustrated and it's enough unlike a typical picture book that it might be an interesting choice for an older storytime crowd. The story concludes with Magnus realizing that his obsession with measuring things has made him unappreciative of many things around him, such as his friends at a dinner party or the beauty of the ocean. This lesson seemed a little abrupt, especially since his measurements seemed really cool and fun up until practically the end of the book. However, the story is well written and the alliterative sentences and vocabulary make it enjoyable to read aloud.
Reviewer: Sarah Stimson, OCPL/Irvine University Park
