Wallace's Lists [Hardcover]

Barbara Bottner (Author), Gerald Kruglik (Author), Olof Landstrom (Illustrator), Gerald Kruglik (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Wallace, a mouse, could do almost anything. Anything that is, as long as he had a list.

1. Wallace is a shy mouse.
2. He writes lists. Lists of recipes, funny words, and frightening experiences.
3. Wallace meets his lively neighbor named Albert.
4. His world is swiftly opened to new delights, such as painting and music.
5. Wallace and Albert experience the excitement of an adventure, and Wallace discovers a new joy.
6. Friendship.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Three reasons to read coauthors Bottner and Kruglik's (Pish and Posh) new tale: 1. The two unlikely mouse heroes—the cautious, list-making Wallace and his light-hearted companion Albert—develop a friendship in which Wallace's shortcomings turn out to be assets. 2. The book might dare readers to discover something new about themselves, too. 3. The plot inspires Landström's (the Boo and Baa series) tongue-in-cheek artwork, which provides lots of witty entertainment. Wallace, a bespectacled mouse in shorts and a bowtie, wants to say hello to his new neighbor, but he can't—it's not on his list of things to do that day. (Readers are treated to many of Wallace's lists, written neatly on lined paper.) Albert wears an old undershirt, sports long hair and never hesitates to revise his plans: "Changing my mind is an adventure," he tells Wallace, who listens, appalled but rapt. Eventually Albert's rash adventure-seeking casts Wallace in the reluctant but gratifying role of hero. He remains steadfast in crises, it turns out, and comforts Albert when his wacky plans go awry. Taking a leaf from classic '30s cartoons, Landström furnishes interiors with many small but solid-looking items, visual tokens of Wallace's need for familiarity. His hilarious spreads make liberal use of crosshatching and gestural lines: cats are drenched with water; lightning strikes; luggage carousels send Wallace flying. Bottner and Kruglik don't insist on a magic transformation from Wallace—he just has to learn to bend a little. This one goes on the recommended list. Ages 4-7. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–An earnest and likable mouse is so careful that he lives his life by lists. When a new neighbor introduces himself in the hallway of their apartment building, "Wallace would have liked to say, 'Hello. My name is Wallace,' but saying hello was not on his list." Albert's spontaneity and joie de vivre slowly win him over. The story culminates in a whirlwind adventure through the airport, into a luxury high-rise, and then back home again, where Wallace makes another list with his new best friend's name on it. The writing is memorable, and the authors provide just the right details. Larger than life in all sorts of ways, the chubby Albert spouts wise statements such as "Laundry is laundry... but music is life!" Landström's pictures are expressive and witty, with soft colors, strong lines, and lots of personality. The world depicted is an intriguing one, an urban setting where the mice-sized mice coexist with human-sized humans. With its positive message about trying new experiences and embracing the horizon-expanding wonders of friendship, this picture book is a winner.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060002247
• ISBN-13: 978-0060002244
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #577,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara Bottner began writing for children in the 1970's, when she broke her leg doing off-Broadway Theater and decided to consider a different career. Having gotten a degree in painting, she began to hang out in the children's book section of libraries and bookstores. She was amazed at the originality of the art and fell in love with picture books. Slightly fickle, she also wrote I Can Reads, eventually middle grade and YA novels. She stretched out into writing for television and film and also published essays and short stories in national magazines. She returned to writing books for children and Bootsie Barker Bites, illustrated by Peggy Rathmann, a classic, was translated into eight languages and animated for television. Barbara prevailed upon her MD husband, Gerald Kruglik, to co-write Wallace's Lists, illustrated by Olof Landstrom, which was also animated, (Weston Woods) is translated into Swedish and is forthcoming in French.
Barbara collaborated with Michael Emberley, resulting in Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don't). Anyone who's ever struggled with falling in love with reading, or is the parent or teacher of a picky reader will rejoice in the way Miss Brooks handles a curmudgeon of a first grader. Miss Brooks Loves Books has appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List and is nominated for the prestigious Bill Martin Jr. Award. Barbara teaches writing and consults with writers all over the country; she was honored to receive the New School Distinguished Teaching Award in 1990.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Give a Mouse a Friend, May 20, 2005

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wallace's Lists (Library Binding)

Wallace the mouse makes lists-lots of lists--and follows them to a T. He's not distressed by this penchant; it's just his way. However, Wallace adheres so strictly to his lists that they're somewhat maladaptive; for example, he seems intrigued by his new mustachioed neighbor Albert, but Wallace doesn't greet him. Why? Because he hadn't put 'greeting a new neighbor' on his list. Somewhere Wallace didn't quite get the balance between structure and spontaneity. In contrast, Albert is a free spirit with a Zen-like knack for living in the moment. His spontaneity (as well as his slightly bohemian apartment) baffles Wallace:

"'Changing my mind is an adventure,' Albert explained. `I don't like adventures,' said Wallace. `An adventure can be anything. Anything that isn't planned for.' `You mean anything that isn't on a list?' asked Wallace. `Exactly!' said Albert." For some reason, Wallace then asks, "Do you ever use a map?" and Albert paraphrases a famous line from the film, "The Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai:" "I don't need maps...because wherever I go, there I am."

Albert, however, doesn't always plan things very well. When he drills a hole to hang a picture, he leaves a big gaping hole as goes all the way through the wallpaper to the brick wall. Luckily, Albert isn't fazed; he covers the whole with a brick. Wallace gets a case of the "What ifs" at Albert's casual attitude towards adventure ("But what if you get lost?"). Albert answers with a certain joie de vivre ("Being lost is automatically an adventure"). While their stances are diametrically opposed, Albert exhibits a fond acceptance of Wallace.

Before you can say "Odd Couple," the two rodents are on the road to friendship, and plan a trip to Glockamorra together. Wallace hopes that none of the things from his "Things I hate" list will happen there: 1. Rain streaming down my glasses. 2. Sand in my shoe. 3. Being hot. 4. Being cold. 5. Being wet), and honest Al admits, "at least one of those things might happen if you went to Glockamorra." The next morning, Wallace wakes up from nightmare and discovers two important and unplanned things: 1. Since Wallace didn't answer his door, Albert has already gone to the airport, and, 2) a "dangerous storm" with "torrents of water" had started, and Wallace needed to warn Albert. (It is not at all clear why Albert, an apparently experienced pilot, needs any warning, but the plot must go on).

Now the real adventure, and an amazing display of friendship, begins. Wallace is all unlisted action as he goes to warn Albert. Moreover, he finds that he must stray from his own avowed "Things I hate" list: Rain streams down his glasses, he gets wet, and it looks like he gets cold. He faces other dangers (e.g., a cat) with aplomb. When he finally finds Albert, soaked and disappointed, he remembers his "How To Cheer Up Your Pals" list. Albert, for his part, takes Wallace on a madcap adventure at the airport and in the city, and Wallace discovers his previously submerged sense of humor and spontaneity. He doesn't give up list making-no one makes that demand-but the contents of his lists change. He writes about his adventures (his longest list ever), and, in perhaps his shortest list ever, he write down the name of his best friend.

This touching book shows that opposites not only attract, but can also complement each other. Albert and Wallace show an endearing mutual acceptance, and one feels that a bit of Albert's personality has rubbed off on Wallace (although it's not clear whether the converse is true.) These are valuable qualities at any age, and authors Bottner and Kruglik make it seem natural and unforced. Olof Landstrom's Euro-look illustrations also lighten the book: They have the color and action of the famous Tintin series, an offhand jokey style, and a certain majesty in the panoramas. Some of the clean-lined interiors and architecture exude a modern, somewhat Scandinavian feeling. In addition, Landstrom varied perspectives echo the book's theme about taking multiple viewpoints. This is a funny and warm book, both entertaining and socially educational. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How are things in Glockamorra?, January 25, 2005

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wallace's Lists (Library Binding)

If someone were to walk up to you, place a gun to your head, and demand that you tell them the name of at least one really great Swedish children's book illustrator, how would you fare? What if it was a banana they held to your head? A mild sedative? Well, thanks to "Wallace's Lists" you need never fear this potentially dangerous/messy/sleepy scenario again. It is illustrated by the uniquely talented Olof Landstrom, and written by the delightful Barbara Bottner and Gerald Kruglik making it one of those rare Swedish/Florida crossovers that's so hip with the kids these days. The book points out the potential pitfalls that come when a person plans out their life a little too well and fails to allow for any variety or excitement. And though this lesson might be better suited for a fifty-year-old, within the context of the book it works rather beautifully for little children.

Wallace has it all figured out. Whatever it is he wishes to do with his day, he first makes a list. Wallace is a bit of a list addict. He has lists of his favorite stories and pets and weather and all sorts of stuff. He even has a huge book of them all collected together. One day a new fellow moves in next to our hero. The new guy, Albert, is far more adventurous than Wallace, and suggests that the two of them take a trip to Glockamorra. When Wallace sleeps in and Albert takes this non appearance as a sign that he's not interested in the trip, Albert leaves on his own. What Albert doesn't know is that a dangerous storm is on its way. Wallace must warn him before it's too late. Even if that means not adhering to lists.

I was deeply glad that this book didn't turn out to be a kind of odd couple/Ernie & Bert tale done in picture book form with mice. The story of the uptight stick in the mud and the crazy frat guy has been done to death in children's literature. What sets "Wallace's Lists" apart from these is the fact that the book isn't saying that what Wallace does (making lists) is a bad or stupid thing to do. It's just saying that a person should be a little flexible once in a while and that if your guard is down sometimes, lovely things can happen to you. I also liked that Albert never mocked Wallace at any point. When Wallace points out that he may not want to go to Glockamorra because List #8 says he hates rain streaming down his glasses, sand in his shoe, being hot, being cold, being wet, and being lost, Albert simply says, "Hmmm. It is quite possible that at least one of those things might happen if you went to Glockamorra". This is a subdued response, pairing perfectly with the serene illustration of Albert calmly hanging a picture he's painted over the huge gaping hole he created moments ago in his wall.

In fact, the illustrations in this book are delightful. They have a somewhat European feel to them, with Wallace in his flat blue hat and square glasses. At first the book looks as if the pictures in it are simply cartoonish drawings lacking in form and function. Then you get to an absolutely ripping two-page spread of rain drenching the nearby airport and you gain a new respect for Mr. Landstrom's work.

The best recommendation I can give this is to say that it features the kind of friendship you'd find in Arnold Lobel's, "Frog and Toad" books. Just two good friends having a fun time and learning a little in the process. A book that will leave you with a good feeling after you've finished it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK!!!, March 9, 2005

By 

A Boca Mom (Boca Raton, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wallace's Lists (Library Binding)

My son loves this adventure story of friendship.

This is one of those great books that a parent doesn't get bored reading. There is a great message about friendships and risk taking for every age. The pictures are great too!