Mo Willems, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, and Dan Santat, Caldecott Medal winner, team up for LEFTY, a theatrical picture book about left-handedness and its historical journey. Published by Union Square Kids and a book tour sponsored by Rockstar Book Tours, the book promises humor, inclusivity, and a celebration of individuality. However, while the concept and lesson are admirable, I found this one fell short of the signature charm Willems has brought to beloved classics like The Pigeon series, Elephant & Piggie, and Leonardo the Terrible Monster.
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My Review
LEFTY introduces Lefty and Righty, personified hands who take readers on a theatrical journey through history, spotlighting the stigma left-handedness once carried. The book's central message is clear and important: everyone deserves respect, regardless of their differences.
While I appreciated the attempt to teach a historical lesson through humor and storytelling, the execution felt underwhelming. The pacing lagged in parts, and the theatrical framing—though unique—didn’t fully engage me.
🎨 The Illustrations
Dan Santat’s illustrations bring a sense of nostalgia and vibrancy to the story, effectively capturing the feel of the historical periods discussed. While the art complements the text well, it didn’t stand out as much as Santat’s work in other books. The illustrations are solid but lack the wow factor of his more dynamic creations.
😂 The Humor
Willems is known for his laugh-out-loud humor, but LEFTY only delivered chuckles here and there. Some jokes landed, particularly the playful banter between Lefty and Righty, but it didn’t have the same energy and wit I’ve come to love in his previous books.
📖 The Message
What shines most in LEFTY is its message about acceptance. The book thoughtfully addresses how people shouldn’t be judged—or mistreated—for traits they can’t control, such as which hand is dominant. This is an important lesson for kids, and I appreciated how it was woven into the narrative.
⭐ Final Thoughts and Rating
Ultimately, LEFTY is a creative concept with a positive message, but it didn’t live up to my expectations for a Mo Willems book. The humor and charm felt subdued compared to his previous works, and while the illustrations captured the essence of the historical settings, they weren’t particularly memorable. That said, the book’s heart is in the right place, and it could spark important conversations about kindness and inclusion with young readers.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰ (3.5/5)
If you’re a fan of Willems or Santat, this is worth a look for its unique topic and valuable lesson—but don’t expect it to soar to the heights of The Pigeon or Elephant & Piggie.
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