Another
Bibliography
Robinson, Christian. 2019. ANOTHER. New York, NY: Atheneum. ISBN 9781713706472
Plot Summary
A young girl and her cat travel to an alternate universe where everyone has a mirror image of themselves. When the mirrored cat takes the original cat's toy, they must go on an adventure to retrieve it.
Critical Analysis
Robinson masterfully uses paint and collage to create a whimsical story that follows a young girl and her cat into an alternate world where everyone has a mirror image of themselves that they get to hang out with and play with. While there are no words on the page, the story easily tells itself thanks to Robinson and his colorful illustrations. Kids and adults alike would find great delight in reading this book, as they will have fun trying to understand the rules of this world and find the similarities and differences between the original child and its doppelganger. There are moments where you have to turn the book in your hands to find the direction it is supposed to face, which would greatly amuse the children reading it.
Robinson's imagination makes a story worth reading and he shows how art can tell a story all on its own. Following in the footsteps of authors like Jerry Pinkney and David Wiesner, Robinson has cemented himself as a fantastic illustrator and a fantastical storyteller.
Review Excerpts
Horn Book Guide Starred: "Robinson offers a smart, sly, and imaginative wordless story about a girl and her cat embarking on a fantastical adventure."
Kirkus Reviews Starred: "The simple geometry of Robinson’s work comes alive in this expanse of wordless narrative. A fearless use of white space and an utter disregard of conventions of direction encourage readers to engage with the physical book as the story unfolds, touching and turning it as they literally take the narrative into their hands."
School Library Journal Starred: "A work of art and celebration of childhood for all libraries."
Connections
More by Christian Robinson: You Matter
Rain!
Outro
If You Liked this Book, You Should Try: Quest by Aaron Becker
Friends by Geraldo Valerio
Copycat by Stephanie Sim
Activity: Ask your students what they think their alternate mirror self would look like. Have them create an image of that person using different art forms, such as painting, drawing or construction paper.
