Stanley is so excited when the bookmobile arrives, until the vacationing librarian's replacement--a stodgy old man with stormy eyebrows--tells Stanley he can't read the book he wants because the main character is a girl. Nor can Stanley read a cat book, because those are for cats, just like robot books are only for robots. Eventually, an allosaurus demanding a book about ponies changes the man's mind, and everyone swaps books quite contentedly. It's a simple story, told with Hale's delightful trademark wit and humor, that gently hammers home the concept of censorship and how even well-meaning adults can unknowingly restrict a child's right to read. The muted colors and broad, hazy strokes of the mixed-media watercolor, pastel, and pencil illustrations are somewhat incongruous with the quick, crisp, and cleverly detailed writing, but the mix of narrative text and speech bubbles gives the picture book an almost graphic-novel feel that readers will enjoy, and the book's message is well worth spreading.

A kid perseveres in his choice of reading material. Stanley is excited to visit the bookmobile, but Ms. Christine, the usual librarian, is on vacation. A curmudgeonly old man with bushy eyebrows presides over the shelves instead, and he has particular ideas about who can read what. He believes that only girls should read books with female protagonists, only cats are allowed to read about cats, and robot books are only for robots--and he gives titles about each to their literate counterparts. He finally allows Stanley to check out a book about a peach (despite the main character not being a stone fruit), and the light-skinned, dark-haired boy reads happily next to his brown-skinned friend Valeria. When a confident dinosaur demands a book about ponies, the old man finally relents on his frustrating policy, and Stanley gains the courage to ask for what he wants. With a wacky plot despite its subdued tone and fantastical elements depicted in straightforward India ink, watercolor, pastel, and colored pencil, the story about stories centering a restrictive (and sexist) gatekeeper seems more finger-wagging for similarly minded adults than inspiring for children. Though the fun elements will make this an entertaining read-aloud, the story is both muddled and frustrating. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A sincere message strangely delivered. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 1--3--Stanley, who has black hair and light tan skin, rides his bike through a cornfield, eager to reach the bookmobile to select a new title. Right away he spots the intriguing cover of a likely candidate. Unfortunately, instead of the usual Ms. Christine running the bookmobile, Stanley finds an older white man who doesn't think Stanley really wants to read a book with a (gasp!) female protagonist. Stanley watches in disbelief as a stream of patrons borrow the books that he wanted to read. A female friend named Valeria gets to read the book he first had his eye on, the cat gets to read the cat book, and the robot gets to read a robot book. In his heart Stanley knows that books shouldn't be restricted to one gender (or species), but he is uncomfortable speaking up. Finally, after all the readers trade books and an intimidating allosaurus really wants to read about ponies, Stanley finds the courage to speak up for himself. The bookmobile man realizes that readers are interested in investigating all kinds of topics and diverse stories. While the book is a humorous and interesting exploration of the mirrors-and-windows children's book ideal, as well as a lesson in how making assumptions about a person or their preferences can cause distress and confusion, some may find the portrayal of the bookmobile man to be ageist. There's no insight into why he holds his outdated and offensive ideas, and other than his impressive set of eyebrows, his only distinguishing characteristic is that he's old and seemingly out of touch. The illustrations are engaging, especially those depicting humans, animals, and even a robot enjoying a nice summer day's reading under a tree. VERDICT A nonessential purchase. Perhaps this is best taken as a reminder to kids that it's OK to speak up; adults don't always know best.--Alyssa Annico

This fantastical tongue-in-cheek picture book by Hale (Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn) follows light-skinned, dark-haired Stanley as he attempts to check out a book from the bookmobile "waiting at the crossroads, shiny as a rocket ship." In place of the "bookmobile lady," however, an elderly pale-skinned man leans out of the window and discourages Stanley from his selection, The Mysterious Sandwich: "Looks like this book is about a girl. You don't want this one, do you?" Events take a turn for the surreal when the old man responds to Stanley's desire for a robot book: "Only robots can read books about robots," he says as a robot rolls up. While Stanley attempts to find a suitable title, various anthropomorphic animals are depicted making selections, until Stanley and his bespectacled, light brown--skinned friend Valeria decide to trade--and a purple allosaurus in want of a pony book marches up and asserts herself. Subisak (Amah Faraway) brings her characteristic, doodle-reminiscent style to pages that expertly balance white space with dot-eyed characters human and nonhuman alike, rendered in light-hued washes of India ink, Japanese watercolor, pastel, and colored pencil. A gently delivered, persuasive case against the idea that books' audiences are innately gendered or otherwise limited. Ages 3--7. Illustrator's agent: Lori Kilkelly, LK Literary. (Mar.)