Nice Try, Charlie! by Matt James
Published by Groundwood Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1773061801
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Charlie is a fixture in town. He pushes a cart loaded with treasures, and he picks up many things other people consider to be trash. He finds ways to use things other people throw away. Charlie helps a neighbor get her cat back, and then he stumbles upon a box with an entire pie in it. He makes an effort to find the owner of the pie, but when he’s unable to find the owner, he shares the pie with his community of friends.

This is an important story because it focuses on the type of person often overlooked by many people in society. Charlie exudes kindness, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by his friends. The mixed media illustrations are beautiful and add so much depth and dimension to the story. The combination of thick strokes of acrylic paint with collage give the sense there’s actually three dimensional texture on the page (this reviewer’s 5-yr old tried to touch one page and was confused/disappointed when it was still flat). This is a wonderful story about friendship, community, and finding kindness and value in all people. Recommended for purchase and for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME