Waffle - Hardcover

This curious little book from the ingenious Caldecott Honor artist Chris Raschka (Yo! Yes?, Can't Sleep) is all about that moment before taking the plunge, when the decision to just do it or not do it hangs overhead like an ominous rain cloud. Waffle is an odd boy-man: a smear of color for a shy face, on top of another smear that is his torso, over a pair of red-checked harlequin pants. Throughout, as Raschka plays with W words, Waffle nervously ponders the hypotheticals of flying--although we don't know the source of his anxiety until the end, when he actually succeeds. Rows of laughing smiley faces confront him every step of the way, piling on one another to form new shapes--are they mocking or supporting him? Readers of all ages will enjoy pondering the meaning of Raschka's unusual picture book, especially those who tend to waffle just a bit over, say, whether to read this book or spread their wings and fly. (Ages 4 and older) --Emilie Coulter

He lives with his wife and young son in New York City.