Book Review: Where is Charlotte? (a story-song book)

Where is Charlotte? Or Where Is _________?, by Mark Gorkin (Archway Publishing, 2024, $14.99, 32pp PB) Review by Skye Anderson

Look! It's bird! It's a plane! No, it's Superman! 

It's a story book! It's a song book! No, it's a story-song book! 

And probably the first and only one of its kind, for more than one reason.

Author Mark Gorkin is a social worker who works with children and has honed his skills over the years, resulting in this story and book.

Shape-shifting Characters

The astute reader will notice the characters' appearances not only seem to change, they do change: the clothes they wear, the color of their hair. As the author explains, this was done on purpose, in order to appeal to all children of this age. Each reader is sure to find one book character who looks much like him or her, thus making it easier to accept the book's teachings.

And if the young readers don't already know the song Frere Jacques, it is a simple tune, easy to remember. The story text itself can be either read or sung to the tune of this French round.

The illustrations are colorful and simple yet they manage to convey the emotions of the characters very well. 'The child gets to play tiger and wolf and bear with a roar and a howl and a growl.

A Personal Book!

And perhaps the best part - you can personalize the book for your child. Merely substitute your child's name for 'Charlotte' and change the pronouns if need be.