From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3–As a tiny tot, Henry loves to build things. At age six, he creates an "Amazing Machine" that fills his room, and in the ensuing years, it gradually takes over every bit of space inside and outside his house. As his proud but puzzled parents move into a tent and eventually a tree to make room for the burgeoning collection of gears, cranks, and found objects, they ask him, "…what does it DO?" Henry inevitably replies, "DO?… I haven't a clue," and keeps on constructing. His contraption attracts large crowds, and the circus atmosphere and nonstop noise finally prove too much for his parents, who put a stop to the building. A disheartened Henry runs into the owner of a carnival who is shutting down due to the lack of an audience and an idea is born that lets Henry follow his dream and brings the carnival hoards of new customers. Dodds's text has a rhythm and pace that begs to be read aloud. Done in deep tones, Brooker's collage artwork sprawls across the spreads and creates a vibrant sense of movement and scale in the ever-expanding apparatus. The artist uses found objects, fabric, paper, and paint to create the unusual device that will have children poring over the pages. This book will be welcomed by budding builders and youngsters who revel in the chaos and imagination of creation.
–Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
K-Gr. 2. From the time he was a baby, Henry loved putting things together. By age six, he had built an Amazing Machine. By the time he was eight, the machine filled the living room, the dining room, and the hallway. When his worried parents asked, "What does it do?" Henry answered, "I haven't a clue!" People come from everywhere to see the incredible device, but Henry's parents finally insist he find another home for his creation; they're tired of living in a tree house. Unfortunately, the boy can't find the right place for his wonderful machine--until he comes across Mr. Barnaby, whose carnival is closing. Then Henry knows just what to do. Brooker's mixed-media illustrations add to the fun. His collages incorporate images of clocks, gears, cranks, and switches into the frenetic scenes of the sprawling contraption. The ending is predictable, but kids will chuckle over the young Rube Goldberg and his device, and maybe even do some tinkering of their own.
Julie CumminsCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
