Other than a few fashionistas I've known, most folks find it a fun affirmation to discover someone who is dressed quite similar to themselves, who enjoys the same things, or shares interests and traits that feel like their own. How comfortable it is to immediately recognize ourselves in others, to shortcut many of the "get to know you" strategies and quickly fail into familiar patterns with someone new.
That's a normal reaction.
But does it, SHOULD it, mean that those with evident differences from ourselves should be avoided? Might they even be treated as OTHERS? Is being "just alike" a requisite for being best friends?
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| ASTRA YOUNG READERS, 2022 |
ZACK AND IKE ARE EXACTLY ALIKE, written and illustrated by award-winning Suzanne Bloom, offers a delightfully fun-filled picture book presenting that very dilemma. Filled with colorful and comic-style illustrations on white background, Zack and ike come to life with the vitality and appeal of kids down the street. They are quite similar, although readers of any age will note ways in which they aren't EXACTLY alike- their matching "wiggly hair" shows two different types of curliness, their skin color is different, but they see the many ways in which they are a matched pair: "google glasses, giggly grins, strong muscles, kind hearts, stripy shirts, and helmets." Young readers will note many ways they are alike that are not stated (missing front teeth, similar height and body types, etc.) as well as ways they are NOT. I appreciated that several of these relate to words/concepts/discussion points will offer young learners excellent development of basic vocabulary related to colors, shapes, sizes, and familiar nouns.
In fact, the fast-paced examples of activities, locations, and choices will have young audiences nodding along and eager to join them. That is likely to include recognition that even the closest of friends can have differences of opinions, such as whether to hike or head home when the bugs arrive. Advice to writers of books for this age includes the value of sudden twist or surprise, and this book offers that in two stages. First, they return to their shared hideout to note tracks and noises- A MONSTER! When the intruder turns out to be something friendlier, the differences involve a naming debate, But just when the story might resolve, another surprise visit implies a potential loss, as well as a worrisome question of how to deal with someone new with NO apparent similarities to Ike and Zack. But a closer look and open minds are amply rewarded with the best possible prize-- more friendships!
There are so many things to like about this seemingly simple picture book and I'm very grateful to have received a copy for review from the publisher (with no promise of a positive review). The text is prose but is also rich with internal rhymes and appealing word choices. Those basic names are built on two "word chunks" that developing readers often use to gain independence (-ake and -ike). the many lines in which a variety of familiar words are from those "families" of words means that little ones will be reading along or even reading/retelling to themselves after only a few exposures. The illustrations are supportive in revealing simple but story-suited action images for the verbs/activity words. Both the literal story and those literal/visual elements off effective context for early reading development, but also contain gems that will pull kids back to laugh, explore, and enjoy again and again. The serpent swamp and secret hideout, as well as the results of their "maker" play are models of creativity and cleverness. The text is explicit about their strong hearts and muscles, but readers can easily recognize their similarly strong brain-power and artistry.
All in all, this is going to be a hit for young readers with many returns to it over time. The value, then, is obvious. Even so, the theme and tone of friendships and similarities and other-ing and issue-resolving are so directly and warmly explored that I'd love to see many adults in today's world pay close attention, too. Whether it is PRIDE month or Black History Month or Hispanic Heritage Month or any other designated period in which to recognize and celebrate the value of particular races, ethnicities, or other identities, a book such as this asks us to focus on the innate ability of these boys to recognize themselves in each other, to build connections and friendships that make each and both lives better for their effort.
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