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From Horn Book

September 1, 2024
Two children create happy messes throughout their imaginative day, with each activity offering a whimsical answer to the question "What can a mess make?" There's potential in each one. "Kitchen clatter. / Milk and juice. / Syrup splatter. / Chocolate mousse" transforms into "a meal for two." "Rubber bands and cardboard box. / Coffee tin and shiny rocks" form instruments for a marching band. Even a quarrel ("A mess can make us scream and shout") leads to a positive resolution ("Timer ticking. / Sorrys swapped"). Johnson's rhythmic and rhyming text celebrates the joy found in spontaneous play and reinforces the message that creativity can often spring from disorder. The energetic illustrations, featuring minimal adult presence, amplify the sense of independent play. Warm red and orange tones infuse the story with a cozy and affectionate atmosphere, making it visually inviting and resonant with the themes of familial love and imaginative exploration. This story is an excellent read-aloud choice for families seeking a narrative that inspires creativity and celebrates sibling bonds. Weileen Wang

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From School Library Journal

July 1, 2024

K-Gr 2-Two sisters spend a day delighting in the creative process as they make a mess in the kitchen, throughout the house, and finally in their bedroom, where they collapse into a messy heap of a good night's sleep. Rhyming text and charmingly clutter-filled scenes capture both the ingredients and the fun that can come from making a mess out of the simple materials at hand and enjoying (most of the time) the results of said mess. Be it from "kitchen clatter/ syrup splatter" transforming into a tasty breakfast or blankets and pillows in the living room transforming into "a mess can make a place to rest," the energetic pair collaborate to enjoy a day full of creativity and camaraderie without a single piece of technology to be seen. VERDICT A childhood scamper through simple pleasures of sibling fun made with the materials found around them, this is a delightful book to share, especially on those "there's nothing to do" days of summer.-John Scott

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Booklist

July 1, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 Sometimes it is fine to make a mess, especially if it means you are being creative. Two sisters are having a wonderful time together. Although the kitchen is untidy, they have made a lovely meal. Yes, they have paint on their knees and elbows, but they have produced artistic masterpieces. As they construct musical instruments from recycled materials and pile up furniture and blankets to create a special reading spot, they provide a wealth of ideas for readers to explore. Like most siblings, however, they do not always get along. A broken bracelet causes angry words, and an accidentally dropped platter of food results in less-entertaining messes. The sisters' love shines through as they work out new solutions in this house that looks like a place where creativity is valued. The illustrations include many details to expand on the spare, rhythmic text, giving the girls plenty of materials and space to explore. As these lively girls invite the reader to take part in their marvelous mess, who knows what they might make next?

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From Kirkus

June 15, 2024
Two siblings make messes throughout the day, with sweet and fun results. Berries and chocolate mousse are a delicious treat for the children, even as they leave syrup spills in their wake, while crumbs from an outdoor tea party become a feast for ants and squirrels. Repurposed boxes, tins, and a hose are transformed into musical instruments, and cushions and blankets turn into a classic pillow fort. Sometimes messes result in treasured items accidentally getting broken and the two siblings squabbling, but things--and bonds--can soon be mended or made into something new. Johnson's rhyming text pairs with homey artwork depicting a rustic setting. As each scenario unfolds, the author/illustrator lists various objects--"magic markers. / Missing caps. / Glue and pom-poms"--before revealing the project the protagonists have been working on. The repetitive ebbing and flowing pattern of the words and the narrative establishes a calming tone that sets up the characters and readers alike for a well-earned bedtime, though the mess doesn't end here: Time for a pillow fight! The eye-catching details in the artwork and the question of what each mess will evolve into keep the book as engaging as it is cozy. Characters present white. An imaginative snapshot of daily life that elevates domestic messes into a soothing lullaby. (Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From AudioFile Magazine

Karissa Vacker's gentle voice ripples with mirth as she recites Bee Johnson's descriptions of the many things a mess can make: meals and snacks, props for imaginative play, art, a squabble, a reconciliation, and more. Lists of messes conveyed in bouncy rhyme unfurl alongside a jaunty soundtrack augmented by occasional sound effects. These last are often necessary to fully understand the nature of some of the messes. The sound of breaking crockery underscores how a "heavy platter" and "little hands" lead to "a change in plans." These ensure that listeners who enjoy the audiobook without the picture book will follow the verses' gist. (Those with Johnson's illustrations in hand will see a smashed bowl of spaghetti and the delivered pizza that becomes dinner.) An exuberant celebration. V.S. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine