A Perfectly Messed-Up Story

By: Partick McDonnel

Summary:
This children’s book is based around one child, named Lewis, who wanted to make the
perfect story. With every turn of the page a new messy issue arises causing Lewis frustration. With
colorful jelly plops, and inky finger prints, this story is sure to keep things interesting and get the
giggles going!

Typeface:
In this story when Lewis speaks, at times, it is in a speech bubble. The bubbles have
different font sizes and text to show which character is speaking. An example would be when
Lewis notices the first mishap, a jelly stain. The story is interrupted by Lewis shouting in all capital
letters “HEY!”.
Interactive Narration:
The character bubbles are directed towards the reader throughout the story. They are also
diverting back to the main story line. When there is a spill or a smear on the page Lewis will seem
as though he is talking to the reader. He asks questions, and gives thanks when he is ready to keep
moving on with the main plot in the story.

Images Expand Meaning:

There are times in the book where Lewis will be expecting his story to go smooth without
any flaws, and then bam! There on the next page is a new run in that is less than desirable for him.
The main story and the story that Lewis is wanting are meshing together. Lewis is trotting along
going with the story line, we turn the page and he is faced with a colorful scribble that throws him
into a minor fit.
Multiple Perspectives:
While the text and the picture is a match, they introduce a new and distracting story.
It is seen that something in the story is about to change, and it requires the readers prior knowledge
to assume that. The reader knows from the main story that there is going to be something amiss.
The word PLOP! Written then seeing the peanut butter shows that there will be a new mess
involved in the story.

This book is a good example of all of the different areas, typeface, interactive, expanding
the meaning with images, and multiple perspectives. It touches base for all four and is a super fun
read! The four areas are important to a good children’s book to keep the story growing and the
readers curiosity asking for more. Having a story that can hold at least one of these four areas will
make sure that the over all book is truly enjoyable. It adds to the context and depth of the story line
leaving the reader wanting to read and look at each page with much pleasure.