A playful, engaging book with 20 questions and countless answers: Twenty Questions by Mac Barnett.
Twenty Questions Review
“How many animals can you see in this picture?” The book opens with this straightforward question that invites the readers to count the many animals on the page. An amazing, low bar of entry to participation question. That’s when Barnett throws a curveball. “How many animals can you not see in this one, because they’re hiding from the tiger?” How will the children respond to that question? Most will react with giggles, others may give an actual number. The answers will be as surprising as the question. The variety of questions that follow invite a multitude of answers and debate. Christian Robinson’s illustrations leave as much to discuss and are as critical to the story as the questions themselves.
Conclusion
Those wanting to spark the imagination with a touch of ridiculousness will love this book. Teachers of English language learners especially will adore this story as they can develop the language of the kids reading along. Twenty Questions by Mac Barnett is a must add book for all children’s libraries with primary grades especially pre-Kindergarten through second grade will delight in this book.
