What If . . . ? by Anthony Browne


With each house, Joe expresses a new concern, one that is mirrored by the residents of the house he and his mother are peeking into. Joe worries about meeting new people, not liking the food, scary games and being left too long. A glimpse into one window reveals a table full of school boys in their uniforms looking very much like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, having a rowdy tea time. Another window reveals revelers (looking very much like people from a Bruegel painting) playing wild games. That's another thing that I love about Browne - in addition to everything else he masterfully blends into his picture books, he even manages to give the occasional art lesson.
Joe manages his fears and joins the party, greeted warmly by Tom and his friends, and Mom makes her retreat - thought bubbles conveying her own anxieties about leaving Joe behind. Of course, Joe is beaming when Mom arrives to take him home. As they leave, Mom asks, "I was wondering, Joe, if you'd like to have a party on your birthday." "YES, PLEASE!" Joe answers. A wonderful ending to a superb book.
Please take a moment to watch Anthony Browne reading the first few pages of What If . . . ?. When you do, you will begin to understand why his books are so meaningful.
Source: Review Copy