Vanishing Act

Gr 1-3–Drake’s class has a daily ­musical parade around the school playground, with him always bringing up the rear. One morning he falls, and the others keep right on marching, leading a wounded Drake to wonder, “Maybe I’m invisible. Maybe that’s why nobody ­notices me.” Soon this becomes a ­self-fulfilling prophecy, and his body parts begin to disappear: first his tongue, then his stomach, until he is entirely invisible by the beginning of class, represented only by clothing sitting at a desk. Realizing that the ­clothing is a giveaway, he removes it and moves freely around the school while engaging in minor shenanigans. As quickly and inexplicably as he ­became invisible, Drake ­becomes visible again and the book concludes. This is an interesting concept that does not feel fully realized, and there is a tension in waiting for a moral or reveal that never materializes. Drake’s reference to not being noticed occurs early and is mentioned briefly; it may not land as a metaphor. Like the straightforward text, illustrations are simple and kid-friendly, and there is a visual cohesiveness. Invisibility is an intriguing topic, this work stalls out.