Rulers of the Playground

Reviewed by: Margy Soule - Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 8, 2017

Review

Teachers looking for a picture book story to start a discussion around playground behavior will find it in Rulers of the Playground. Jonah declares himself king of the playground, and the other children "pinky swear" to obey because Jonah is he on the slide which they all want to use. Lennox decides she too wants to be ruler of the other part of the playground with swings, and children "crossed their hearts" and promised to obey her. Jonah and Lennox discover "Conquering is complicated," and soon the king and queen have no friends. They promise never to be rulers again. On the final page, a fellow student appears who wants to take their place as ruler. The message of cooperation is worthy, but the conflict is a bit too easily resolved. Large eyed, expressive children representing a variety of races, subdued colors on clothes and equipment, and white backgrounds with few details turn the readers/listeners eyes toward the characters and the playground equipment. The story is didactic, but many educators do not mind didactic.

Overall Book Score: good