Brass Button

Kindergarten-Grade 3. Two parallel stories are rolled into one in this satisfying picture book. The first follows the adventures of a large brass button that is accidentally pulled off Mrs. Moffatt’s beautiful new red coat; the second describes the romance that develops between Mrs. Moffatt and her recently widowed neighbor, Mr. Peterson. The button travels around the neighborhood from early spring until late autumn; it rolls under a bush, is swept down a rain-filled gully, goes from one house to another in a backpack, and is flown into a crow’s nest. The autumn winds finally bring it back to its starting point, on Mr. Peterson’s sidewalk. Meanwhile, Mrs. Moffatt and Mr. Peterson become better acquainted through frequent and interesting conversations over good meals. It is heartening to watch these two older people fall in love as their interests and their respect for one another bring them closer together. The story culminates in a joyful wedding. The design of the book is especially appealing, with short chapters and varied layouts of text and artwork. The full-page, gouache paintings are richly colored and the smaller illustrations, framing the text on the opposite page, show interesting details about the community in which the couple lives, as well as the many good hiding places for the traveling button. A charming story for the young at heart to share with the young.?Virginia Golodetz, St. Michael’s College, Winooski, VT
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 5-8. Mrs. Moffatt has a new red coat with bright, shiny buttons. She wears it to Mr. Peterson’s house, where, unbeknownst to her, a button falls off. So begins a winding tale in which the button finds itself in the hands of various owners and, finally, in a crow’s nest. Months later, the button is blown to the ground on Mr. Peterson’s walk. Mrs. Moffatt, who has just taken her coat out for the winter, arrives at Mr. Peterson’s and notices the missing button. Thinking it has just been dropped, Mr. Peterson recovers it. Children like stories in which an object passes from one hand to another, but not much happens to the button (it goes from backpack to accessory on a bathing suit to the crow); and whether children will be interested in the burgeoning romance between the elderly Mrs. Moffatt and Mr. Peterson remains to be seen. Paradise’s watercolors are inventive, using arches, columns, and other design elements to show what is happening with the button, while also portraying what is happening with Mrs. Moffatt and Mr. Peterson. The long text makes this most appropriate for a primary-grade audience. Ilene Cooper