The Thing by Simon Puttock and Daniel Egneus

When I saw this book on a display in a K-2 library I was intrigued by the cover, title and possible subject matter since the book was one title in a display for refugee week. Four strangers see a strange thing. Their names are Cobble (an owl), Tummler (a fox), Hummly (a hippopotamus) and Roop (a small indeterminate creature).

"The thing lay where it had fallen, not moving at all, not making a sound.
'What is it?' said someone passing by.
'And what does it do?' asked another
A third shrugged 'Maybe it just is.'
'Whatever it is,' said a fourth, 'it's beautiful"

Here we have curiosity, pragmatism, philosophy and aesthetics all conveyed through four seemingly simple questions. This is my interpretation:

What is it? - curiosity.
What does it do? - the pragmatic approach - objects must have a purpose and function
Maybe it just is? - this is philosophical thinking
It is beautiful - looking for aesthetic value or perhaps giving an emotional response.

This fourth stranger, who is called Roop, continues his emotional and sympathetic thought by saying "We could stay and keep it company."

So the four gather round the Thing and sleep through the night. In the morning they try some communication with words such as hello, greetings, we come in peace. When there is no response they decide to build a shelter for themselves and for the Thing. Curiosity about the Thing draws a crowd and with the crowds come food stands, souvenir sellers with buttons, balloons, postcards, mugs and flags and even some funfair rides.

"Someone set up a camera so that people could watch it from the comfort of their homes."

At this point reactions take a nasty turn. Someone in the crowd suggests the Thing does not belong, that it has to go. With an older group of students, you could raise themes of prejudice and the plight of displaced people.

"All over the world, people began to argue for and against the Thing."

Then one day the Thing quietly leaves without a sound. Simon Puttock uses a brilliant word to describe this - it had somehow un-fallen itself.

I totally agree with  reviewer Anne Thompson who says she keeps coming back to this book.

While it seems obvious I would pair The Thing with The Lost Thing by Shaun Tan and Beegu by Alexis Deacon. You might also look at a book I talked about recently - Hattie and Hudson. Take a look at Simon's web site where you can see his list of over forty books.

Definitely a book to savour rather than rush through. BookBag

This truly captivating story will hold many different meanings to varying audiences. Picture books Blogger

This captivating picture book will be many things to many people: a story about thoughtfulness, an adventure in friendship and an intriguing and gentle social commentary on the search for meaning in modern life. Reading Zone