Me, All Alone, at the End of the World by MT Anderson - ESSENTIAL

Anderson, M.T. Me, All Alone, at the End of the World, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, reissue 2017. $14.99. 

A young boy lives all alone at the end of the world. He leads a slow, calm, contented existence. Until one day when a Mr. Shimmer arrives, determined to bring some fun and excitement to the end of the world! Shimmer builds an inn, leads tours, creates fun! fun! fun! all the time and generally creates chaos and noise in the once peaceful spot. The boy is initially caught up in the excitement until one day he realizes he misses the wind and his solitude. 

This is one of those beautiful picture books that is written for adults. The message of simplicity and a little solitude being important in our chaotic world is a good one that will resonate with adults and maybe a bit with your more mature young adult readers. An English teacher could utilize this when teaching Walden, and perhaps homeroom teachers going for a larger moral lesson one day, but otherwise I think it will be best considered in the Gift category. 

HS--OPTIONAL, GIFT--ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: TC