Friday, February 18, 2011

Todd's TV


Booklist (February 15, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 12))
Grades K-2. This cautionary picture book, though entertaining and meaningful on a child’s level, might be more directed at parents. When Todd’s folks are too busy to deal with him, which is just about always, they plop him in front of the TV. Soon, the affable appliance has taken over most parental duties—going to the parent-teacher conference (where it promises to cut down on Todd’s cartoon intake), tucking him in at night, playing catch, and even taking Todd on vacation. When the TV whispers to Todd that he is thinking of legally adopting him, Mom and Dad realize the gravity of the situation, but it isn’t until Todd shows them that things can be turned off that they figure out what to do. A double-page moral to the story has the family enjoying quality time together, with Todd feeling more loved than ever and winning the Student of the Year Award. Proimos’ loose, comic art and plenty of humorous touches make for a fun read, and although TV isn’t necessarily a villain, responsible parenting comes out the hero.

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