Zig Zag
by Robert San Souce and illustrated by Stefan Czernecki

Made from scraps of material Zig Zag is such a strange looking doll that the other toys in the doll-maker's shop squeeze him off the shelf and into the dustbin. He then has frightening encounters with an owl, and an encouraging meeting with field mice, before finding a home with a little girl who loves him because he is different. This Canadian publication combines the talents of a prize-winning author, Robert D. San Souci with the skills of a real toy-maker and illustrator. Intended for three to six year olds this is a colourful, charming book which is sure to become a bedtime favourite. - Jack Ousbey, Carousel


Kindergarten-Grade 2-When a dollmaker finishes piecing together a doll made of cloth scraps, she names him Zigzag. His mouth is crooked and his fabric mismatched, but the woman is sure that some child will love him. The other toys taunt Zigzag because he is so ugly and push him off the shelf into the trash. When it is put out, he is picked up by an owl that drops him into a meadow. There he meets some field mice who lead him to the little girl who loves him and turns his crooked mouth into a smile. Eye-catching illustrations fabricated from cloth scraps create captivating, colorful collages set against a bright, white background. While they are vivid and appealing, they are also a tad confusing. The same technique is used to render the humans and animals, making it hard to differentiate the toys from the other characters. This is not one of San Souci's most engaging offerings but it is nicely composed, and the happy ending should please young readers. - From School Library Journal by Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL


This picture book has only an average story, but it has exceptional illustrations. Stefan Czernicki's brilliant artwork has enhanced over 30 books for children. Zigzag is a book about patchwork dolls, and Czernicki's illustrations look like brilliant collages cut out of many-coloured fabric. Children can hardly help but be intrigued. The story is predictable: because Zigzag is different, he is pushed off the shelf by the other dolls. He falls into a wastebasket and is emptied into the street. Zigzag runs away and is picked up by an owl who drops Zigzag in a meadow when he realizes he's not good to eat. Zigzag meets a family of fieldmice who take him to their wise Papa Mouse. Papa Mouse suggests Zigzag meet the little girl who leaves crumbs for his children, and here at last Zigzag finds someone to love him.

Robert D. San Souci has written over 60 picture books and short story collections for young readers. He has won several awards and created the screen story for the Disney film, Mulan. He lives in California in the San Francisco Bay area.

Youngest readers, those between two and four, will enjoy the story as well as the pictures. Slightly older children, aged four to six, may find the story a little slight, but the illustrations will hold their attention.
Highly Recommended.
-Helen Norrie is a former teacher-librarian who reviews children's books for the Winnipeg Free Press. CM, Volume XII Number 2 September 16, 2005