Reynolds, Peter H. Our Table. Peter H. Reynolds, Illus. Picture Book. Scholastic/Orchard, 11/2021. [44]pp. $17.99. 978-1-338-57232-2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES. PRE-3.
Violet notices that her family no longer eats dinner together at the table because everyone seems so busy on screens at that time, including father watching his big screen TV, mother texting on her phone, and brother playing videogames on his tablet device. In fact, the table has vanished, so she asks each family member to use the screens to help build a new table by watching a video or creating a diagram. The story is subtle but clear on how screens have diminished the way family members communicate, and Violet’s solution to get everyone back to the dinner table is clever without being manipulative. The artwork is distinctive, showing the Black family in colorful illustrations against white backgrounds when they are together, and Violet in shades of purple when she is alone. The hand-lettered text is brief, large, and clear, making for a great read-aloud on an important subject.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool