Reviews: (by author)

Fleischman, P. Weslandia. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 1999. $5.99. ISBN# 0-7636-1052-6

Weslandia is about a school boy, Wesley, who does not fit in with the other children. During his summer vacation, he creates his own civilization with an alphabetical and numerical system. He plants his own crops, weaves his clothes and tells time with a sun dial. He calls this land Weslandia. Wesley allows his friends to be part of his civilization and is popular when he goes back to school. Topics like bullying, gardening and individuality are addressed. The language will challenge younger children.

Kevin Hawkes uses acrylic paintings for the illustrations. The illustrations take over both pages of the spreads. Hawkes has created caricatures of many characters in the story and the illustrations in general are bright and funny.
Fleischman is an award winning author of books like Big talk: Poems for four voices. Hawkes is an illustrator and author/illustrator of many children's books.

Highly recommended 4-9 year olds.
Devika Kapur

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