Meet Frank

February 15, 2023
Frank, who hails from a planet where everyone looks alike, embarks on a visit to Earth. On planet Xob, all of the inhabitants are green, rectangular bipeds with eye stalks. That's where Frank is from, and he "feels lost in this sea of sameness." In search of something different, Frank hops in his spaceship and hurtles to "a mysterious planet with strange creatures." Donning a silly disguise, Frank decides to investigate by questioning a group of children: "WHY DON'T YOU ALL LOOK THE SAME?!" Brown-skinned, dark-haired Asha, light-skinned, dark-haired May, and light-skinned, blond-haired Otis answer by appreciating their individual features, including their hair and skin color. This prompts the box-shaped creature from Xob to notice "all sorts of shapes and colors" of other humans nearby; author/illustrator Lui's playful mixed-media images depict people who vary in terms of skin tone, one person using a wheelchair, and one person with a wide body and skinny legs. Delighted by Earth's diversity, Frank returns to planet Xob keen on spotting (and appreciating) difference--even in a seemingly homogenous place. Though difference is mainly described in terms of racial characteristics, and the message is a tad ham-fisted, Lui's imaginative illustrations, full of geometric shapes, make this an engaging picture book for young readers. (This book was reviewed digitally.) This story isn't exactly out of this world, but little ones will be charmed by the protagonist's journey. (Picture book. 4-7)

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