Mr. King’s Things

Mr. King the cat shops for lots of new things, and when something gets older, he just throws it in the pond. One day, while fishing, Mr. King’s line catches on something really big. He’s reeled in a monster.

Rough charcoal-style outlines give life to the animal characters. An imaginative composition of Mr. King’s rejected objects forms the body of the frightening monster at the end his fishing line: it is “the scariest-looking thing Mr. King has EVER seen!”

Narrative language is direct and expressive, starting the story with a tone of slight irony: “When he isn’t buying new things or tossing old things, Mr. King goes fishing.” A great choice for reading aloud, the type-size varies to acknowledge intensity of expression.

The book’s message about over-consumption, and the benefits of recycling and reuse, will be clear to young readers long before Mr. King realizes that he is the creator of the monster. Inspired by friends who find utility among his old things, Mr. King designs new, wonderful inventions: the rug makes a fine sail for his boat; an old wagon becomes a ferry boat for squirrels. “Mr. King likes to turn OLD things into NEW!”