What's That, Jack?

by Cédric Ramadier, Vincent Bourgeau (Illustrator)

A fun read-aloud picture book to spark imaginative play and have preschoolers joining in with delight. Jack and George are resting quietly when BOOM! A huge and strange ball lands beside them. "What's that, Jack?" "I don’t know, George. Maybe it's a rock?" No―too soft. But it rolls. Fast! Jack, George, and the ball roll right off the cliff and now it’s a parachute. But watch out, they're going to land in the river…

Jack and George have a brilliant day full of adventure with this object that changes with the landscape, then turns into a blanket to keep them warm. This bright and funny book is a game of twists and turns, with a joyful refrain and vivid artwork to capture every toddler’s imagination. With thick, rounded-edge paper and a hardback cover, little hands can easily help turn the pages at storytime. This book encourages interactive reading by inviting toddlers and preschoolers to join in with the energetic catchphrase, “I don’t know, George!” as call and response on every page. Cédric Ramadier studied at the Camberwell College of Arts in London, before moving to Paris to work as an art director, graphic designer, editor, and author. He has written a number of popular French children's books. Vincent Bourgeau lives in Marseilles, France, where he works fulltime as a children's book illustrator. Together they have published nearly 50 children's books. Translated from the French edition by Antony Shugaar. Praise for What's That, Jack? “Will inspire youngsters to embrace uncertainty―and adventure.”― Kirkus Reviews "Kids will enjoy the simple, repetitive text . . . fun to read with a group who enjoys interactive books."― Youth Services Book Review Praise for Help! The Wolf is Coming! "The interactive element is a rush that's sure to elicit squeals, shrieks, and many, many repeated readings."― Booklist "The fun kids will have tilting, turning and shaking the book as they try to tumble the approaching wolf off a cliff."― New Zealand Herald

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 4, 2023

Reviews

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tall turquoise blue dog, George, and his friend Jack, who’s a short black dog, are befuddled by the arrival of a flying blue orb. It lands in front of them with a “bomph.” George asks Jack what it is, and Jack doesn’t know, but says, “Maybe it’s a boulder.” It’s too soft for a boulder, but the blue thing rolls like it’s a ball. In fact, it rolls them all off a cliff – “Aaaahhh” the friends yell as they tumble through the air. But then, the thing turns into something else: “What is it, Jack?…I don’t know, George. It might be a parachute!” The thing continues to morph into equipment the friends need to survive this unexpected adventure: a raft, to soften their fall into the water and a blanket to cover them as they camp out. When they wake up the next day, the blue thing floats back up into the sky where it came from: “What was that, Jack?…I don’t know, George. But it was wonderful!”

Kids will enjoy the simple, repetitive text, and the mystery of the blue thing and what it will become next. Adults can talk about how the friends may be using their imagination, and how we do that when we play. The vibrant, deep pinks, reds and blues complement the story of exciting adventure. I like that the pages are coated thick paper, thicker than the standard picture book. This French import would be fun to read with a group who enjoys interactive books.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two dog friends, Jack and George, one blue and one black with touches of pink, are hanging out together, doing a little of nothing, when a large, blue round ball lands right next to them. They test the strange object out and discover that it can roll and take on all sorts of shapes while leading them on various adventures. The minimal text and intense color palette will be appealing to young readers, who will also find themselves wishing that such a versatile ball would appear in their own back yards. Even if that isn't possible, they can comfort themselves by creating their own adventures similar to these. In some respects this one reminds me of some of Jon Klassen's books.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simplicity wrapped up in beautiful brilliant bright boldness. A quirky ode to the power of imagination and friendship.

[Rebecca Caufman]

Still not sure what "IT" was, but it was useful to the dogs for a day

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because it is open ended. That thing can be many things. The dogs expressions are priceless. It has simple text and leaves you thinking.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally bizarre but charming. Give to readers looking for something like Not a Box.

[Elsa Leuty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really sweet and surreal book. Would love to see it in the original French, will try to find.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack and George get a visit from an extra terrestrial.