"Kelly, a debut author (and grandson of Roald Dahl), writes austere, emotionally blunt rhymes [that], when combined with Tanaka's (
One Moon, Two Cats) velvety but highly formal acrylic illustrations, keep the book's more playful fantasy elements in check. On the spectrum of stories about the inner lives of playthings, this is more
Velveteen Rabbit than
Toy Story."--
Publishers Weekly
"Kelly gives lost possessions a new life in his first book . . . The message is heartfelt and it may comfort children who are missing their favorite toys"--
School Library Journal "Can offer copious comfort to children with the suggestion that their closest childhood friends have found second lives elsewhere."
--Kirkus Review
L. J. R. Kelly was born in London, England, and comes from a family filled with other writers. He studied politics at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and writing at Dartmouth College. He lives and writes in London. Visit him at www.LJRKelly.com. Yoko Tanaka is a graduate of the Art Center College in Pasadena, California and has illustrated several books for children, including the New York Times bestseller, The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo. Yoko lives in London, England. You can visit Yoko at www.yokotanaka.com.