Echo

by Adam Rex

Overview

New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Adam Rex has created a funny and timely conversation starter about how dull life might be if everyone always agreed

Everyone always agrees with Junior, including the mysterious voice from across the valley.

“Junior Junior is the greatest in the world!” he shouts.
“Junior Junior is the greatest in the world!” the echo shouts back.

Until one day, a new girl moves in next door. A disagreeable, rude girl who doesn’t think Junior is right all the time. Unable to stand living next door to someone like that, Junior runs to the valley to meet his echo. But when being around someone who agrees with him all the time is less fun than he imagines, Junior must decide if a new friend is worth admitting he was wrong.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593699331
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	03/18/2025
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Adam Rex is the author and illustrator of more than forty books for kids, including New York Times bestselling picture books like Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich and School’s First Day of School, (with illustrator Christian Robinson). He used to make art for games like Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. Sometimes he still does. He lives in Tucson, Arizona, with his dog, son, and wife.

Editorial Reviews

★ "A valuable message that’s masterfully (and hilariously) conveyed without being heavy-handed...A quirky, relatable, and spectacular emotional journey." —Kirkus, starred review

“Astutely recognizing the universal allure of constant validation, Rex (Tumblebaby) employs a slyly comic narrative and sculptural digital drawings to nudge readers toward a greater truth: real reciprocity thrives on the perspective that everyone brings to the table.”—Publishers Weekly

"An entertaining story with an important lesson." —Booklist

“Rex smartly avoids didacticism in favor of employing humor to highlight the social skills of respectful disagreement and admitting when you’re wrong, making Junior’s plight both pertinent to our time and timeless.”—The Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

★ 2024-11-23
Junior Junior’s only friend is the echo across the rocky canyon from his house.

Junior and the echo didn’t initially hit it off; when he hollered his first word—“MINE!”—an argument ensued. But in the years since, an agreeable conversation has persisted between the two. When he declares, “Junior is the greatest in the world!” the echo reiterates the sentiment, enthusiastically. When a new girl moves in next door, Junior finds her less amenable, especially when she argues with him, pointing out that what he thinks is a star is in fact a planet. Upon realizing he’s wrong, Junior calls the girl an idiot and runs away to play with his real friend, the echo, who resembles Junior and does exactly what he does. It’s fun, until it’s not. Junior wonders suspiciously if the echo truly agrees with him. Setting pride aside, Junior reluctantly ambles home to admit his fault, ready to start fresh. Rex’s deliciously colorful digital pastels burst from the page, anchored by majestically moody landscapes. Junior, the echo, and the neighbor are pale-skinned, expressively highlighted in neon hues, bathing each character in a playful, glowing aura of light. The result is a valuable message that’s masterfully (and hilariously) conveyed without being heavy-handed: It’s OK to be wrong, and it’s OK to disagree with a friend.

A quirky, relatable, and visually spectacular emotional journey.(Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews