The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors

I thought this might be a cute book to share with some classes when I teach so that is why I picked it up at the library. This children’s book is oversized and the illustrations are bright and colorful so I was very pleased to see this. I really enjoyed all the different font types and sizes that were used throughout the novel as I thought it made the novel come to life and the sharp contrasting colors on the pages, the book popped! Unfortunately, there was one instance in this novel that makes me hesitate to share it with some classes. This might not be a big deal to some but as an instructor, it was to me. It was when rock met apricot and he said, “You sir, look like a fuzzy butt.” The word, butt shocked me. I know some children will laugh when you read it and some children will say, “butt, it says butt. That’s a bad word.” So, what do you do? Do you change the word out, skip that part, forget the whole book or read it and see what happens? There is name calling in this novel as one person tries to gain control in the situation. It became a pattern as they fight for control and I feel that this is a topic that cannot be looked over. I know its supposed to be all fun and games but do the kids that you are reading it to, see it that way. I thought the story itself was cute and entertaining and I think many children will like the story. The story is about power, who is the most powerful one of all. When we play the game rock, scissor, paper we are looking for a winner, who has the power, who will be the leader. There are teachable moments in the story, areas that could be talked about further after the story is over or while it is being read. I liked how the story ended.

This was so much fun to read to my kids! We were rolling on the floor when paper met rock. Lots of fun!

This fabulous book will have kids in stitches. Drew Daywalt and Adam Rex have created a fabulous, fun-filled book to explain where the epic game, Rock Paper Scissors, originated. It's a battle of the strengths and it teaches that a pliable sheet of paper can overtake the strength of a solid rock while the sharp scissors can take out that flimsy paper in one sharp snip. Wow! Who knew? The book begins, "long ago, in an ancient distant realm called the Kingdom of Backyard," there is an undefeated warrior named Rock. He looks around for a challenger to take down and finds a wooden clothes pin just hanging out on the line. He yells, "drop that underwear and battle me, you ridiculous wooden clip-man!" He proves that Clothespin is no match for his might and Rock emerges the victor. Next opponent is Apricot, and he is pinned to the ground and smooshed quite easily by Rock. Even though Rock is the undisputed winner, inside he feels unhappy and unfulfilled. The next scenario takes place in the "Empire of Mom's Home Office". There Paper, the second warrior seeks the glory of battle. You meet Paper, a sticky note with eyes and a nose drawn on him, who has the smarts. He is branded the "smartest warrior" in the land, and he too is unvanquished and unfulfilled because nobody can outwit him in his kingdom. Paper fights the computer printer, who cries, "Noooooo! Not a paper Jam!" and the printer is toast. Next, a half-eaten bag of trail mix from the trash is up, and guess what? He is taken to the mat too by super Paper. Oh my! Lastly, in the "Kitchen realm in the tiny village of Junk Drawer", there resides a third great warrior. Can you guess his name? Yes, it's Scissors! She swashbuckles and defeats tape and then climbs up to the freezer and defeats dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets. Afterwards she wonders, "Am I so good that not even Dinosaur-Shaped Chicken Nuggets can beat me?" That is amazingly good. The three seasoned warriors have a grand smack-down event in the "great cover of Two-Car Garage!" Who will become the champion and declare ultimate victory? Can you guess? Will all three find the happiness they are yearning for and their emptiness filled? The illustrations are spot-on perfect and this witty book is full of action, expression and fun from beginning to end. It's laugh-out-loud hilarious for both young and old. I highly, highly recommend it.