Rex Wrecks It by Ben Clanton

Gizmo, Sprinkles, and Wild love to build things.

Rex likes to wreck things.

"Gizmo's out-of-this-world rocket?
Rex wrecks it!
Sprinkles's magical heart?
Rex wrecks it!"

Needless to say, Rex's penchant for destruction makes everyone unhappy.



What can Rex do to try to make up for his destructive ways?

Rex Wrecks It wasn't even on my radar until I saw it sitting on the NEW shelf at my library, but now it is one of my favorite picture books of 2014. The words and the pictures are in perfect, delightful simpatico. It's a book that just plain makes you happy. As I read it to myself while sitting on the floor in my home office, all I could think about was how the rhythm of the story makes for a perfect read aloud. Even though the primary audience for this book is ages 3-7, I wouldn't hesitate to read it to my 8th graders because it's a wonderful example of the music and rhythm of language -- something we are talking a great deal about this year.  

In addition to the effective language, each character is illustrated in both a fantastical way (a rabbit with a unicorn horn; a robot who appears to be able to rocket launch himself into the air) and also with gleeful childlike personification, as evidenced by the illustration above. No matter what grade you teach, you're going to want to add this one to your read-aloud pile. 


Rex Wrecks It by Ben Clanton
Published: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Candlewick
Pages: 40
Genre: Picture Book
Audience: Primary
Disclosure: Library Copy 

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