Just Add Glitter and The Fun Happens

Just Add Glitter has an interesting concept: do a craft project by adding glitter. Of course, it gets out of hand. The moral is that if you have too much of a good thing you cannot see the real things that sparkle.

A big plus for me is that the child does clean up in the end. This is a nice touch. Usually the mess is left for someone else or never mentioned. I think, while books should be fun, be sneaky and put a little responsibility into it as well! Angela Diterlizzi does create a soft tone throughout the book. Though the little girl and cat are glittering it up, it never is in a completely manic way.

 

The manic nature is shown in the illustrations of Samantha Cotterill. And because of this, the illustrations really save the book as in many ways the story is basic. And while I cannot think of something to compare it to, it does remind me of other things I have read. As the publisher said the illustrations are made by making “hand drawn paper cutout that are then digitally colored, set in a 3-D environment with the world’s supply of glitter before being photographed.” Also, the fact that there are a few hidden surprises throughout the book is fun (look at the beginning and end when special packages are dropped off at the front door). The fact that there is glitter in the book could cause a few issues (as anyone knows who works with glitter, eventually you will be covered, too!)