¿Para qué sirve?

PreS-Gr 2–This philosophical exploration of each item’s utility and reason for being will go over adults’ heads but make complete sense to inquisitive children. A pink-faced narrator asks, “What is it for?” to an unidentified group of people. “It” refers to simple tools like a paint roller, scissors, and a mirror. The book goes on to identify items that are named by its function, such as nail clippers or toothbrushes. The narrative gets more existential with every page turn. Are there things that have no use? What’s the use of a painting or a rhinoceros? Does something have to be useful to have a use? Every few pages, the unnamed narrator recaps the questions and resolutions discussed up until then. Kids will enjoy answering the questions and the discussions that may ensue because of them. The candy-colored illustrations are arresting and fun to look at. The kaleidoscopic landscapes and figures bring to mind Byron Barton’s artwork. The figures are childlike, with some characters having rectangles for bodies and others having orange, yellow, or purple skin tones.