Don't Tell

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 15, 2018

Review

Don't Tell! is the follow up to Booth's first book, Don't Blink. A young white girl and her animals friends all question the reader to find out who told them about their super secret book. In the end, they find out it was the elephant who has been telling everyone because he likes to share secrets. His friends agree that it can be fun to share secrets sometimes. The concept lacks the charm of Booth's first book and other fourth-wall-breaking fare. Though the animals are speaking directly to the kid who is reading the book, they don't provide a lot of opportunity to actually speak back. The text also feels very repetitive. Additionally, the concept of secrets is one maybe too difficult for a book as simplistic as this one. Though both includes an author's note at the beginning reminding adults that they should speak to the kids in their life about what secrets to keep or not keep, the story doesn't do a lot to support either perspective. Booth's illustrations, however, are the winner of this book. The expression on each animal (and their human companion) is compelling and draws the reader in far more strongly than the actual text. On top of that, Booth's mixture of traditional and digital mediums creates fluid illustrations with a lot of interesting texture and color. Recommended as an addition purchase.

Overall Book Score: good