Thank You, Mac Barnett
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I am stepping outside our usual categories for this post. The book I’m sharing today is for a younger audience, but it played a pivotal role in our family. Without this book, our site might not exist.
As my son transitioned from large-format picture books to stories filled with illustrations and deeper narratives, we discovered Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Adam Rex. First we checked this book out from the library; but when it became obvious that it was such a great find, I knew we needed to purchase it as a family heirloom. Then when my son accidentally ripped the book cover, I even bought another and kept it away in safe keeping.
The book’s story is told in the backdrop of a conversation between an animated Mac Barnett and Adam Rex – sort of a Mystery Science Theater 3000 vibe. As with many of Mac Barnett’s books, the story(ies) have a positive message while offering a behind-the-scenes peek into the creative process, complete with a few surprising twists.
Chloe and the Lion
The Story as Told by the Cover Flap: “Every week, Cloe collects loose change so she can buy tickets to ride the merry-go-round. But one fateful day, she gets lost in the woods on her way home, and a large dragon leaps out from-‘Wait! It’s supposed to be a lion,’ says Mac Barnett, the author of this book. But Adam Rex, the illustrator, thinks a dragon would be so much cooler (don’t you agree?).”
“Mac’s power of the pen is at odds with Adam’s brush, and Chloe’s story hangs in the balance. Can she help them out of this quandary to be the heroine of her own story? In an accessible and funny way, Chloe and the Lion talks about the creative process and the joys and trials of collaboration.”
Where One Book Led Us
Well obviously we became big fans of Mac Barnett, particularly in collaboration with Adam Rex. This led us to explore more of their work, including:
Guess Again! – a book full of surprising twists in the illustrations.
How This Book Was Made – teaching my son that even creative minds must understand and work with the system.
Then there were Rules of the House, a tale or rulebreakers and disgruntled monsters. And as he got a bit older, my son joined the Mac B Kid Spy chapter book series where Mac Barnett shares his childhood spy adventures.
And still today my 11-year old son enjoys The Terrible Two’s series – which he has read many times over including Spanish language editions to improve his dual language skills.
What Are the Take Aways from Our Experience
Reading is crucial for a child’s development, especially when it sparks their imagination and helps them discover their passions. My son, now my partner in this website, found joy and a drive to understand the workings behind those things that bring him joy and knowledge. At 11 years of age, he understands basic concepts of business, creative game and story creation – and intuitive problem solving including the computer skills to produce these posts. I honestly believe it all started with Chloe and the Lion, so thank you Mac Barnett for igniting that spark.
Books Mentioned
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Other Mac Barnett and Adam Rex Books
The First Cat in Space (3 book series)
Smek (2 book series)
