Hello, friends! Our book today is Another by Christian Robinson, a wordless picture book that embraces the strange in the search for adventure.

In the dark of night, a portal opens up into a little girl’s bedroom, and a small black cat – identical to her own but for a different-colored collar – pops in. When the feline swipes a toy, the girl and the cat decide to follow it into the portal, which opens into a crazy negative space with very few rules. Up is down, left is right, and the world is a strange and wonderful collection of more portals, more kids, and more doppelgängers. Adventuring through this topsy-turvy world, the girl finds her own double, who kindly returns the toy. Then girl and cat head home for a good night’s rest… or did they?

Delightfully bizarre. I love a picture book that challenges its young readers, and this one definitely inspires some creative thinking. Robinson does a great job of telling a purely visual story, playing with orientation and direction in a way that allows readers to physically become part of the story through turning the book and re-examining the art from another perspective. Even with such a strange premise, the bright colors and equally bright smile on the girl’s face clues the reader in that there’s no danger in the alternate dimension, even with a tantalizingly ambiguous ending. This one works well for all ages – younger kids will have fun with Robinson’s classic and colorful papercut-style-art, and older kids will enjoy the unique premise and the curiosity it inspires. The length is fine for everyone, and JJ loved it. A little dark, a little light, a little fun, and a little weird: a wonderfully entertaining combination. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by a representative of the author in exchange for an honest review.)