Sometimes the Spoon Runs Away with Another Spoon

Title: Sometimes The Spoon Runs Away With Another Spoon: Coloring Book

Words: Jacinta Bunnell

Pictures: Nathaniel Kusinitz

Medium: Coloring Book (Picture Book)

Genre: Folklore, Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Theme: Acceptance, Diversity, Open-Mindedness, Individuality, Identity

Special Features: The dedication of this book is so wonderful. "The book is dedicated to everyone who has ever felt left out. May there always be a place in this world for you. (Bunnell)"

Summary: This book takes various nursery rhymes and fairy tales and gives them a bit of a gender twist. It is a coloring book, with a brief sentence or two about each picture. The gender twists are used to help children to understand that there are many differences in identity in the world, from boys who like boys, to girls who like girls, to boys who like to dress up like girls and so on. 

Literary Elements: The coloring book contains some bits of rhyme or poetry. However, it is mostly contemporary realistic fiction/folklore. There is no defined setting within this book, however it contains a multitude of characters from nursery rhymes to fairy tales. There is no clear plot to the book. It is episodic at best due to it showing and telling about various characters. 

Evaluation: After reading through this coloring book, I have fallen in love with it. It is such a brave move to take classic nursery rhymes and fairy tales and change them to help teach children acceptance and identity. To be honest, I find myself having to refrain from breaking out my crayons and coloring in the book. I am saving it for my 4 year old niece.