
This is the first review I've published of a book I didn't love. I hate to do it!
We recently read the 100 Most Awesome Things on The Planet. (CDN, JP, US)
After living in Japan so long I am usually happy with anything in English. I read the back of imported cereal boxes with fascination. I've probably read half of Danielle Steele's books and haven't hated them. I have pretty low standards.
But there was just something about this book that I didn't like. I guess part of that is that I have a different (possibly very 80s!) connotation of what awesome means.
This just seemed so sensationalist. (What was I expecting? The title should have been a giveaway). They rank cars and military weapons and manmade wonders and nature using little happy/shocked faces. That drove me nuts. Who are these people to decide to rank Machu Picchu lower than a cool car?
Of course, the thing that I disliked the most was because I took it so personally. A couple of the highest ranked awesome things are tsunamis and earthquakes (complete with a picture of Kobe). I guess it's too soon after 3/11 for me to deal with that. I guess that yes, earthquakes are awesome. Powerful, destructive. And tsunamis are all that and rare. So it fits the description, but I can't see any good about them. Great white sharks are awesome and have a place in the ecosystem that makes them a force for good. I can't say the same for these two killers.
My son really enjoyed the pictures. They are very well done. It's definitely a good concept, and it seems to be something boys are interested in.
I can totally imagine that kids would have different take on 'Awesome' than adults. Glad that you shared this review. We can't all like every book out there.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, Heather! I can't always agree with my littles.
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