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heisereads's review
3.0
Didactic, but kids will get the point. (Haha.) Though the illustration of the baby was a little creepy to me.
ljrinaldi's review
4.0
Look at poor Spork. Doesn't this make your heart melt for him?
This is a sweet picture book about a child that doesn't fit in because he is made up of half of his mother and his father. Like some interracial, where they are the only one in the neighborhood like them, you can feel like you don't fit in.
And of course, there is a place for everyone, as evidence by the ending of this book.
Great book to teach about being different, and finding your place.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This is a sweet picture book about a child that doesn't fit in because he is made up of half of his mother and his father. Like some interracial, where they are the only one in the neighborhood like them, you can feel like you don't fit in.
And of course, there is a place for everyone, as evidence by the ending of this book.
Great book to teach about being different, and finding your place.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
5elementknitr's review
5.0
I am in love with the adorable Spork and his entire adorable world.
A wonderful story and equally lovely art.
A wonderful story and equally lovely art.
panda_incognito's review
3.0
In this picture book, a spork feels torn between the two halves of his family, feeling like he is not enough to satisfy the spoons or the forks. Over the course of the tale, he comes to recognize that he has unique value for who he is, and is able to fulfill a role that no one else can.
The story is a clear parable for mixed race children, and even though some people will object to a multicultural child's portrayal as an inanimate object, the author explains on her website that she came up with this metaphor based on her own experience growing up with a Japanese mother and white British father. The mostly monochrome illustrations are creative and cute, and this story can encourage mixed race kids who feel torn between different extended family groups, without the illustrations committing to any specific racial presentation.
In cases where a mixed race family doesn't experience conflict or misunderstanding from extended family members, this picture book may introduce worries that a child doesn't already have, but when a child is struggling to fit in and navigate the different elements of their identity, this could be very helpful and encouraging. It's also a good read for other families, to explore more general questions of identity and encourage empathy for others.
The story is a clear parable for mixed race children, and even though some people will object to a multicultural child's portrayal as an inanimate object, the author explains on her website that she came up with this metaphor based on her own experience growing up with a Japanese mother and white British father. The mostly monochrome illustrations are creative and cute, and this story can encourage mixed race kids who feel torn between different extended family groups, without the illustrations committing to any specific racial presentation.
In cases where a mixed race family doesn't experience conflict or misunderstanding from extended family members, this picture book may introduce worries that a child doesn't already have, but when a child is struggling to fit in and navigate the different elements of their identity, this could be very helpful and encouraging. It's also a good read for other families, to explore more general questions of identity and encourage empathy for others.
kennedymorin's review
4.0
From what I've heard, this book seems to accurately depict the feeling of not belonging that a racially mixed person may feel. Not being enough of either group to be accepted. A wonderful book that has a wonderful message.
I took one star off because the picture of the baby is honestly a thing of nightmares.
I took one star off because the picture of the baby is honestly a thing of nightmares.
amandadevoursbooks's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Spork's mom is a spoon and dad is a fork. Spork doesn't quite fit until he discovers his purpose.
The illustrations are cute. the story is sweet. I think people should bring without having to fulfill a role, but other than that it's a fun read that the kids enjoyed.
The illustrations are cute. the story is sweet. I think people should bring without having to fulfill a role, but other than that it's a fun read that the kids enjoyed.
laura_mcloughlin's review
3.0
A little strange, but a nice message about everyone (or everything, in this case) having a place to belong. The illustrations of the Spork and other residents of the cutlery drawer were very cute, the baby, however, was a bit on the creepy side.
jestrudel's review
5.0
An endearing story about finding your purpose, perfect for those of us who feel "in-between" and sometimes a little lost.
ari_at_the_bookish_coven's review against another edition
4.0
Spork is "just a bit round. just a bit pointy. just right"
I loved this cute story and the illustration of adorable Spork!
I loved this cute story and the illustration of adorable Spork!
zoemig's review
4.0
I read a digital copy of Spork, written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, which is definitely not the correct format for a picture book but I've loved the couple offerings I'd read from Maclear before and I was just so tempted by how adorable this looked. Spork is the story of Spork, whose mom is a spoon and dad is a fork--and he's a bit of both! See, so adorable.
His mom and dad say he's perfect just the way he is, but Spork doesn't quite fit in with the others and wishing he could be just one thing. It's a cute story with wonderful illustrations about being true to who you are and celebrating what makes us different. I haven't read a book illustrated by Arsenault before but I really loved the style and plan to look for more from her in the future. I didn't read it to a child so I'm not sure how Spork would go for the intended audience, but as an adult I really enjoyed it and I'll definitely continue to reach for Maclear in the future.
His mom and dad say he's perfect just the way he is, but Spork doesn't quite fit in with the others and wishing he could be just one thing. It's a cute story with wonderful illustrations about being true to who you are and celebrating what makes us different. I haven't read a book illustrated by Arsenault before but I really loved the style and plan to look for more from her in the future. I didn't read it to a child so I'm not sure how Spork would go for the intended audience, but as an adult I really enjoyed it and I'll definitely continue to reach for Maclear in the future.