Mom, the School Flooded!

Christine Linge is a past director of the Toronto & District Parent
Co-operative Preschool Corporation and a freelance writer.

When his mother asks why his shoes and pants are wet, Gus responds with
a fabulous tale of how his school flooded. The whole class had to paddle
to the gym, the vice-principal floated in on his desk, the doors opened
and flooded the school-ground, fire engines and police arrived, and the
caretaker saved the day with a good mop-up.

At the end of this tall tale, the author addresses the reader: “Do
you think Gus’s mom believed his story? If you do, close the book. If
you don’t, turn the page.” Two other brief but inventive
explanations for Gus’s wet clothing are submitted, inspiring Gus’s
mom to give up and find some dry clothes. In closing, the author
challenges his audience: “If you don’t believe these stories, how
about telling one of your own?”

This book’s success is based on its perfect marriage of text and
illustration. Jacques Laplante’s twisted figures and bizarre
landscapes are a delightful rendition of a child’s careening
imagination. Gus’s speech, expressed in uneven, childlike printing,
represents the exact words and cadence of an enthusiastic youngster
“on a roll” (although the disjointed dialogue is much clearer on a
second reading, especially if read aloud).

Ken Rivard’s closing dialogue with his audience involves the reader
in the creative process, providing firsthand experience of “creative
storytelling.” It also provides teachers and parents with the
opportunity to discuss the difference between this activity and
“fibbing.” Recommended.