If you are feeling overwhelmed by the shallowness of our current culture and the callousness of companies who market so relentlessly to our children, I’ve got the perfect antidote for you. The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell is a delightful, witty, and poignant storybook for children which pokes fun at capitalism run amuck, while offering a sweet example of the gift of friendship.
Basic Plot:
Mooch, the cat, wants to give his best friend Earl, the dog, a present, but his friend already has everything, so Mooch decides to give him the gift of nothing, which is harder to get that one might think.
Why You’ll Love It:
This funny book offers a wise counterbalance to our consumerist culture. In the end, Mooch gives Earl the gift of his presence. Parents will enjoy the small jabs McDonnell takes at pop culture such as when Mooch looks for nothing on TV, since that what he always hears his owners say, but finds it quite full of something. If you are a fan of the comic strip Mutts, you’ll love the simple illustrations.
Why Kids Love It:
This is a funny and silly book that had my boys in stitches. The drawings are cute and may inspire little ones to copy them. Quizzical minds will enjoy the many playful ideas about what nothing actually is and how one can get it.
Best Ages:
preschool through 3rd grade
Leave a Reply