Whaddayamean Book

It takes God millions of years to make planet Earth, and when he finishes, he takes a long nap. Awakening, he returns to Earth to see how his paradisiacal planet is faring, and is disgusted at what human beings have done to pollute the air, the water, and the forests. Not only that, but humans are threatening each other with war, engaging in religious quarrels, and sinking into apathy. God appoints two children to go tell grownups to change the way they are living. The adults who run the world, as well as the ones who ignore what's happening around them, pooh-pooh the children's message at first: "Whaddayamean? Don't waste our time, you snotty little kids. You can't tell us what to do. Run away, we're busy." But when the youngsters explain that it is God who told them to save the world, the grownups change their ways. Thankfully, children will be left with the sense that they can make a difference. John Burningham's unusual illustrations, in pen and ink, watercolor wash, and collage, provide a picture of the planet no reader will forget. Winner of several awards, including two Kate Greenaway Medals and four New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year Awards, Burningham is one of the most highly acclaimed children's author-illustrators of our time. Some of his best-loved children's books include Mr. Gumpy's Outing and an earlier environmental fable, Hey! Get Off Our Train. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright 1999 by John Burningham. With permission of Crown Publishers, Inc.) --Emilie CoulterRead More