Spork by Kyo Maclear and Isabelle Arsenault
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2011. ISBN 9781921759741.
(Age Yr 2+) Spork was neither a spoon or a fork, but a bit of both. On
the surface, this story explores Spork's attempts to fit in with the
other kitchen utensils because of the loneliness of difference and
exclusion until he finds his niche. But it also works at so many other
levels of
difference - racial, sexual, medical - and its presentation of a
smaller-than-usual
font and subtle colourings suggests that this was what both author and
illustrator intended. Indeed the author dedicates it to "all the
amazing sporks and misfits in my life". On the surface, it is a picture
book,
but the text opens up many opportunities for talk.
If it were being read to a younger age group, it would be a perfect
vehicle for exploring the surface story of being and feeling different
and how others do and should respond to that, but there is also scope
for using
it as a springboard for thinking about those deeper issues. Its
audience
will respond to it at their own level of development and understanding,
and
if it is read by a spork, it will even offer comfort. There is a
perfect place for you in this world - it just might take a little while
to find it.
This book is like its title - a little bit regular, a little bit
different and a little bit difficult to define. But it definitely has a
place on school library shelves.
Barbara Braxton