Written and Illustrated by Tim Warnes
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing; 2008, Hardcover
Target Audience: 3-8
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Friendship, Respecting Differences
How We Discovered This Book: My daughter found this book in our library’s new books bin. It was published a few years ago, but we’re glad to discover it now!
Summary: In researching the odd name of this book (I could understand the name Cheese for a mouse, but I was stumped with why a dog was named Chalk), I learned that “Chalk and Cheese” is based on an obscure British saying – as in, “They are completely different. As different as chalk and cheese.” This book takes the concept and tells a story about a British country mouse and an American dog. They are friends and pen pals, and one day Cheese comes to New York City to visit Chalk. They each look at the world differently, so we get to see two different perspectives on what they see and experience.
What I Liked: I enjoyed the illustrations and the narrative – spare text with simple illustrations. There are visual jokes and gems to find throughout. The message of embracing each other’s difference was nicely delivered without being heavy-handed.
What Did My Kids Think? Most kids like animals in their books, and my kids are no exception. They followed right along with Chalk and Cheese’s New York City adventure. They enjoyed when Cheese didn’t understand something – just like kids sometimes – and Chalk patiently explained it to him (or even better – showed him).
Resources:
Brainstorm things that are very different (story characters in other books, inanimate objects, family members), and give them an adventure. What would they do? Where would they go?
Illustrate your own adventure story set in the place you live. Are there secret places for hiding? Are there things a visitor to your town MUST see? No worries if you don’t consider yourself a strong illustrator – stick figures will do. Adding some color and an interesting perspective make all the difference.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Max is back from Spring Break with his review of Chalk and Cheese. Check out his video to see what he thought!
Email subscribers: Please click over to this post on the website to see Max’s complete video.
A Life Spent Reading 
Love the look and sound of this one. The cover made me think I had read it before, but your description does not sound familiar. I need to read/re-read it.
This book sounds like a winner with children. Am anxious to read it! Great review!
I love the cover of this book. That alone makes me want to read it.
Placing a bet that the author is British. The list of great books this week will have my library tote full!
As different as chalk and cheese. Love it! Will have to take a look. Thanks!