Spork

Kyo Maclear (2010), 32 pages

Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Constantly neglected Spork is lonely. Forks, spoons, knives, even chopsticks make their way to the dining table ... but never Spork. Born from a fork father and a spoon mother he was both a little round and a little pointy. Although his parents loved him as he was, Spork wanted to be easily identifiable, to be just one thing or another. After awhile, he decides to become more fork-like, but he still doesn’t fit in because all the other forks think he’s too round. Later, he tries to be a spoon, but that fails because he’s too pointy. Spork desperately wants to belong. Every night he wistfully watches from a distance as spoons play games and forks rake, mash, and twirl. Later they all enjoy a bubble bath in the sink. But, all that changes when the messy thing arrives. Food was flung here and there, everywhere ... spoons were tossed and forks were bent. "This messy thing smeared and spilled and flung and clumped and dripped without a care.” In all the chaos, Spork realizes he finally has a purpose – he was the perfect tool, a bit of both fork and spoon! Grabbing Spork, the messy thing shrieks with delight waving him around ... at last Spork has found his purpose! Being suitable for baby is the story of how Spork “finally and happily found his way to the table.”

Arsenault’s illustrations are so expressive the utensils seem animated. Her color palette is pale and muted mostly gray, white and pastel blue-green. However, she adds a sense of drama as the “messy thing” enters the story and dashes of bright crimson red flash across the pages. Author, Maclear born to British and Japanese parents revels in her own spork-ness; she presents a creative and fun

story for children to enjoy everywhere regardless of cutlery heredity. This story is a great lesson in learning how to appreciate differences in each other and oneself, may appeal especially to children with biracial backgrounds.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Zero by Kathryn Otoshi, or Only One You by Liinda Kranz

Other books by this illustrator: Migrant and Mr. Gauguin’s Heart, and Bonjour Les Hirondelles