“HOPPER AND WILSON,” by Maria Van Lieshout, Philomel, May 12, 2011, $16.99 (ages 4-8)
Have you ever wondered what it’s like at the end of the world? Hopper and Wilson have. Really, the only way to find out, the two decide, is to pack their balloon with the read string, say goodbye to their cactus and launch their boat.
Bobbing away from their home, the two dream about what they will find at the end of the world — a staircase to the moon or, perhaps, an endless supply of lemonade.
A storm approaches, and an angry sea tosses the two friends about. When the wind grows silent and the sea settles down, Wilson is frightened to find he is the only one left in the boat. Wilson searches everywhere for Hopper, and is happily reunited with his friend after what seems like a very long time.
Together, they reach the end of the world, which just so happens to also be home.
“Hopper and Wilson” is a charming book about the value of friendship. There are gentle nuances here that older readers will appreciate as they peruse this book with a new generation of readers. Simple watercolors bring the two friends to life with bold primary colors in whimsical styling.
