{Picture Book Review} BONAPARTE FALLS APART by Margery Cuyler and Will Terry

O P E N I N G   L I N E:

BONAPARTE WAS A SKELETON whose bones kept coming apart.

(pgs. 1-2, US Hardcover Edition)

BONAPARTE FALLS APART by Margery Cuyler with illustrations by Will Terry is a perfect book to read this week. It's not a Halloween book, but its use of a skeleton, Frankenstein, mummy, and spider really get in the mood of the season and will appeal to kids of all ages.

This book has a couple of really great messages, too. Bonaparte is a skeleton, and his bones keep falling off. He's having a lot of trouble, and sometimes can't find all of his bones on his own. He's afraid of what's going to happen when he goes to school, and his friends decide to help him solve his problem!

This book features some amazing teamwork and shows the strength of friendship and the lengths friends will go to help one another. It's a fantastic message! I love watching the friends try out a lot of tricks, and when nothing works, they don't give up: They just look for more ideas!

My other favorite part about BONAPARTE FALLS APART is that the answer to Bonaparte's problem (Spoiler! But it's a really good one!) is that the group finds a dog and trains him to retrieve bones for Bonaparte and help him become more successful. He is a service dog, and even though he isn't called out as such in the book, and you don't necessarily think about it right away when reading, the fact that he has a presence in a picture book and that his services can be used as discussions with kids is fantastic, and I love that this was the answer to Bonaparte's problem!

The friends and a happy Bonaparte with his new service dog!

Here's a closer look at this fantastic picture book. You'll really get a feel for its style and need to check it out in person!

YouTube Link

O F F I C I A L   I N F O:

Title: BONAPARTE FALLS APART

Author: Margery Cuyler
Illustrator: Will Terry

Release Date: August 15, 2017

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers / Penguin Random House

Received: For Review 

SUMMARY:

Bonaparte is having a tough time. It's hard for this young skeleton to just hang loose when he can't keep hold of himself. When he plays catch, his throwing arm literally takes a flyer. Eating lunch can be a real jaw-dropping occasion. How can he start school when he has so many screws loose? Luckily, Bonaparte hit the bone-anza when it came to his friends. Franky Stein, Black Widow, and Mummicula all have some boneheaded ideas to help pull him together. But will it be enough to boost his confidence and get him ready for the first day of school?