This or That: A Story About Choosing

K-Gr 2–Making a decision is not always an easy task, but it is especially hard for young Alexander Levine, a white boy and only child. Whether it is picking out clothes for the day, snacks for the movie, or his Halloween costume, difficulty making up his mind is starting to cause some problems for Alexander, like being late for the bus or having to wear a sweater he despises. Even when his mom encourages him to try out every option or his dad suggests that he just make quick decisions, it doesn’t get any easier. But when Alexander gets to choose what the family would do for their Saturday outing, he learns that making choices is as easy as considering what he knows and making the best decision possible, even if it isn’t the right one in the end. Alexander’s indecisiveness puts him in some funny situations, which are amplified by the comical and colorful illustrations. But with the lesson taking center stage, this story is sometimes contrived; Andrew has a simple epiphany after ordering a sundae with all of the ice cream flavors, and his future decision-making process goes smoother. Although it might not be a natural choice for story time, this book might be useful for a whole group lesson or as a social story for an individual or small group.