The Wrench

by Elise Gravel

Bob's tricycle is broken and he needs a wrench to fix it.

He ventures out to buy one at the Megamart, where slick salesman, Mr. Mart, convinces Bob that it's not a wrench he needs, but a fridge hat...singing pajamas...a screaming machine! Bob spends all his money on things that he really doesn't need and before he knows it has no money and no wrench.

Lively illustrations and quirky hand-lettering make The Wrench a delight to read while also conveying an important message about consumerism and excess.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an adorable little book. It used lively bright colored illustrations and quirky lettering which made for a super fun and unique read. It also teaches a few important lessons.

This book teaches the young readers all about consumerism and the importance of not being excessive. Nobody needs a fridge-hat! Poor Bob spent all his money on things that he really didn't need and before he knew it he had no money and no wrench.

My son and I were especially fond of the use of the name "lucien" in this book ;). It's not everyday that a kid gets to come across their own name used for a character! He wanted this book to take all the stars for that alone! Luckily though this book was cute enough to earn them without the name slip!!


I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. A book with a lot of potential that falls short of the mark.

[Les livres de Popo]

Un livre sur la surconsommation inutile dans lequel mon père m’a dit se reconnaître. Malgré tout maintenant on veut le chapeau frigo pour garder tous mes snacks DME 🥄

[Jenn Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, quirky art. (Though I personally found the characters themselves to be a little weird-looking, but I think it's just a me thing)

Bob = me going to Target and buying everything except what I need. Ending was a little anticlimactic but young kids will think it's silly.

Can absolutely imagine myself reading this book for storytime. Story and pictures have lots of room for a back-and-forth dialogic reading experience.

Thank you to the publisher for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rating/review is based on an advanced copy from Netgalley and Orca Books.

Elise Gravel's books are always funny and very cute, and this one is no exception! I gotten a lot of questions from caregivers looking for books about helping kids understand needs vs. wants. There aren't a ton, and very fewer are actually good quality or even readable. Every year we're scrounging for something decent to read during Money Smart Week! I'm so glad this book will be added to that list. I think there is a TON to talk about when reading this book to/with a child; including needs & wants, but also about how things are marketed and sold to us as consumers. All packaged in a very readable silly story that includes a screaming machine!

[Etienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I try, God knows I try, but I can,t get the huge love Elise Gravel get. No disrespect to her, but her book just felt okay to me, but I just don't get the hype.

[Elles_shelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thw Wrench by Elise Gravel tells the story of Bob, a uniquely drawn creative animal. At the beginning of our story, Bob has an accident while riding on his tricycle and breaks one of the wheels. Bob thinks he can repair his bicycle with his wrench, but he is unable to find it in any of the places that he looks. Bob scratches his head and decides he needs to purchase a new wrench and heads off to Mega-Mart where he can buy anything and everything. Bob encounters Mr. Mart and asks for assistance in locating the wrenches. Instead of helping Bob find the item he needs, Mr. Mart pitches a series of useless and unnecessary items that Bob can purchase that are more exciting than a boring old wrench. Unfortunately, Bob falls for this sales tactic not once, not twice, but three separate times. He proudly takes his purchases home to show off to his friends, but his friends tell Bob that he has made a mistake by purchasing ridiculous items that no one needs and reminds him that he intended to purchase a wrench to repair his tricycle. So Bob places his items in a closet until he runs out of money and can no longer afford to buy a wrench. He decides to open the closet to search for some money when an assortment of items comes tumbling out on Bob's head. In the midst of all of these cast off items, Bob discovers his wrench. I don't have any issues with the story up until this point because it deals with consumerism, predatory sales tactics, basic economic principles, and even the effects of chronic disorganization. My concern with this book is that at no point does Bob learn a lesson. He doesn't learn how to only shop for what he needs, how he needs to watch out for salesmen who try to convince him to buy ridiculous items, or even how to organize his belongings so that he won't have to go out and repurchase items that he already has in his home. The story simply ends. As a teacher, I typically share stories where my characters learn a lesson, but we don't know if Bob learned his lesson or not. The story could open up a dialogue about how Bib could learn his lesson, but ultimately it does not share that lesson with the intended audience, Had Bob clearly learned his lesson (returned the items to get his money back or organized his closet even), then I would probably be able to rate a 4.5, but without a concrete resolution, I can only rate a 3.5 which I am rounding up to a 4 just because it does start a conversation about what what lesson Bob should be learning.

[Storytime With Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should be reading Elise Gravel stories to their children. They are brilliantly non-traditional, completely silly and so much fun to read.

In The Wrench, Bob breaks his tricycle and needs a wrench to fix it. When he can’t find it he heads to Megamart to get a new one and of course is sold on a million other things he doesn’t need except the wrench.

Elise Gravel’s illustrations are wildly unusual and incredibly appealing. You and your reader will laugh and laugh as you make your way through this silly story. The best part about The Wrench is although it’s quite a silly story there is a definite message about consumerism within the pages and teachers could bring this book into the classroom when discussing media literacy, putting an outrageous spin on the topic to really get the point of overconsumption across to young people.

For those who are dual language learners, great news as this book was originally published in french under the title La clé à molette and was awarded the 2012 Governor General’s Literary Award for Children’s Literature - Illustration, french titles

[Mackenzie Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Orca Book Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of this work. True to Elise Gravel, colorful illustrations and playful characters abound in this delightful book. As Bob sets out in pursuit of a wrench to fix his trusty trike, he is bombarded by tantalizing options such as musical pajamas and a fridge hat....by the way, where can I get one of those? Though the mega store and Mr. Mart may talk Bob into many a frivolous purchase, Bob eventually learns that what he needs has been under his nose the whole time. I recommend educators of preschool and young elementary students include this book in their libraries and classrooms. It is a great discussion starter for needs versus wants, and emphasizing the importance of a tidy closet to discover all that you have already!

[Lisa Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Gravel book. This one is pretty standard for her style, both writing and illustrations. The characters are cute and the colors are nice. Story is lacking something. Basically, Bob has a an accident on his tricycle and needs a wrench. After looking, he couldn't find his and has to go get another one. He goes to a a big stores and gets dazzled by the salesman and his fancy, but, useless items. Not once, not twice, but, three times. In the end, Bob finds his wrench among all of the things he had stored in a closet. So, of course, he fixed his tricycle. It's a cute little read. I'm just not sure it's any more than that.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review copy provided by NetGalley

This is a highly amusing cautionary tale about the dangers of impulse buying and being influenced by slick salespeople. I think, at some point, most every person falls prey to an impulse buy or a cleverly delivered sales pitch, and tries to buy one thing only to come away with another. This is a picture book that takes us through just that. I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and well paced. The illustrations were light and childlike, very appropriate to the text. It's a fun little book. Also, the strange impulse purchase items are very clever and creative. Well done.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wrench is a humorous way to share about consumerism with children. The pitfalls of falling for the useless purchase suggestions made by the slimy salesman are presented in such a silly way, that I can already hear the students giggling. This could also lead to discussions about shopping locally vs shopping at mega stores and the pros and cons of each. A perfect addition to support your media literacy program as a gateway to talking about the many "tricks" used in the media to sell you items that you may not need.

Thank you to Netgally and Orca Book Publishers for providing me with an eARC of this book for an honest review.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bob runs over a rock and damages one f the wheels of his tricycle. He needs hi wrench to fix it but it's no where to be found. He heads to Megamart to buy a new one. Bob makes numerous trips there but never buys a wrench, just buys hints he doesn't need. It seems to be a play on consumerism in society. It's a great introduction for children to realize the difference between a need and a want. Perhaps you could also discuss money management. Overall the story is fine. I enjoyed the illustrations more. #Netgalley

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was sort of a silly book. The pictures were kind of strange but colorful. The text flowed well. It's about a bunny that is distracted by a salesperson at the store and impulse buys crazy things instead of what he went for. It's amusing. I think adults will relate to the story more than the kids. But the kids will enjoy the silly gadgets and funny animals.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny and insightful book, with cute and quirky illustrations. A bunny breaks his tricycle and just needs to buy a wrench to fix it, but he keeps getting distracted by all of the shiny gadgets on display at the local "Megamart!" This book is entertaining while offering a sly lesson about smart spending and the perils of impulse buying.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful book! Clever illustrations tell a powerful story to stimulate young children's minds.

My grandchildren are older than the target age for The Wrench, but they have artistic talents and Elise Gravel's charming book is a wonderful example of the power of art to effectively communicate..

[Brittany H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cute little book about a broken bike, a missing wrench to fix it and a Megamart full of things you dont need. It gives a good message about wasting your money in buying things you don't need.

[Anneke Alnatour · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have read this book again.

And again.

And again.

It is absurd, but so on point as well. A great book to discuss consumerism with the children, without being too preachy.

We just really, really like this one!

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few consumerism-topic picture books I've seen in recent years.
The lively, distinctively non-human/animal characters underscore the universality of succumbing to merchandising, advertising, and sales pitches.
Colorful and appealing way to launch further reading and discussions.

[Wren Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

three stars feels generous - the illustrations are great. the story is dull and way too "on the nose". it reads like the author set out to write a specific moral tale and forgot to have any fun along the way.

[Sheila Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wrench is a predictable picture book that your child will enjoy. The illustrations are entertaining and the child-like characters are relatable. This book makes for a teachable moment.

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anti-consumerism for the kiddie set. I totally hope this gets picked up for mass sale by Target or Walmart and would revel in the irony.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing story with a disappointing ending that felt abrupt.

[Annese · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to like this book, but it left me underwhelmed. It ends too soon and doesn't really address the new problems his spending has caused.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very silly.

[Marie-Eve Bibo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Album comique qui permet d'avoir une réflexion sur les achats inutiles, sur les stratégies de vente avec les enfants... Une introduction au 3-5 ou même 7 R - réduire, réutiliser, recycler... réparer!

[Ana Ruiz-Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 2020, this hilarious picturebook is about how Bob chooses to spend his money. This would make a great lesson for needs versus wants for young kids!

[René · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une belle leçon contre la surconsommation qui est destinée aux prochains consommateurs - nos enfants.

[Penelope Gonzalez-Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book! Please keep writing. I'm an author as well.