A Quest

The Perfect Seat by Minh Lê ill by Gus Gordon

“Can you read to me?”
​This simple request sets in motion a quest.

Adult moose and a young mooseling sporting a shirt with the numeral four (hinting perhaps four years of age?) want to share a story. But where? A search is underway. Readers will recognize a familiar pattern.
One seat too big. The next too small.
Another too old. Followed by one that is too new.
The rhythm breaks with queries such as "Should the perfect seat make you this dizzy?" when big moose's hat goes flying off his head and "Are you okay down there?" when moose is beneath the bridge .

With gentle humor, the author sends the pair on a search for a solution to their problem. Eventually, the perfect solution falls right into their laps.  
Lots of explore on each page. Gordon chooses to focus on the central characters by sketching supporting cast members with a blue-grey outline. A bird flits from page to page. The map featured on the end pages warrants attention.  There is a street to "nowhere interesting" and a Nessie-like creature floats in the middle of a lake that is "quite wet." 

"Can you read to me?" is an invitation to explore. Lê shows readers that reading brings delightful and unexpected discoveries.

​Looking for a follow-up activity?
After reading The Perfect Seat, bear and I went in search of the best spot for reading.
Invite young readers to select a favorite book and the best place to be while reading. Create a photo gallery of perfect places to read favorite books. Be sure to caption the photo with the book title. Credit the author and illustrator as well. Note: If privacy is a concern, use a stuffed critter for the photo shoot.
​
What's your perfect seat?

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: November 12, 2019  Publisher: Disney-Hyperion ISBN: 978-1368020046