Customer Reviews

Wallace's Lists

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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.

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.

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!

We checked this out at the library and loved it so much we had to have it for our home collection. The illustrations are very entertaining and add to the story; both characters are absolutely loveable. But not only is it a sweet story of friendship and bravery and trying new things, it can also be a gentle reminder to those of us "big people" who make lists and schedules and then live our lives by them religiously, to loosen up a little. One to read again and again.

this is a fantastic book. my sons and i read it many times together and i even had to read it by myself too. it is thoughtful, intelligent, moving and very funny both for children and adults. this is a must read!

A delightful, heart-warming book in which Wallace the mouse, an inveterate list-maker, meets Albert, a rodent with a penchant for the unplanned. Making lists and then methodically doing the things on the list makes Wallace feel secure, even though he yearns to follow his new friend Albert, who is so spontaneous. But Wallace just can't break away from his need to make a list of the day's activities and then stick to that list. Until he senses that Albert might be in danger. Then Wallace jumps into action, has unplanned-for adventures, and makes the longest list of his life. A great book, to be read over and over. The illustrations are wonderful.

A great little book with wonderful illustrations. Wallace learns that it is okay to do things not on his list, to step outside the box and go outside his comfort zone.

This is a great story about Wallace who can't do anything without a list. This is a great way to teach kids how to make lists and stick to them. But also sometimes you need to deviate from the list to be able to do other things. I used this story as a teaching tool. My students loved it.