Publishers Weekly
“Luthardt's honest
and visually emphatic debut book uses only four words (aside
from some various dog noises), but that's all the vocabulary
he needs to dramatize--in the fullest sense of the word--the
importance of sharing… Luthardt understands that sharing
is a high-stakes game for a young child, which is why the Grand
Guignol feel of much of his book seems just right). He pairs
his minimalist text with oil paintings rendered in lurid colors
and strong, stark shapes. And he employs a cinematic framing
that evokes film noir: when the T-rex lies ripped open between
the two boys, the scene is viewed from overhead, an almost vertiginous
perspective that should arouse a deliciously morbid frisson
of "Uh-oh" from even the youngest readers.”
Booklist
“In this humorous, nearly wordless picture book, Luthardt
depicts the brothers’ thoughts in a series of vibrant
oil paintings… this has story hour potential with audience
participation and could be used as a role-playing exercise
for conflict resolution.”
The Kansas City Star
“Mine! is one of those honest, ‘this really happens
in my house’ kind of books that used to fascinate my
own children as preschoolers. It has the simplest of plots:
two young brothers tussle for ownership of a new toy. The
text is fewer than 20 words. Yet those simple words, along
with Luthardt’s smooth-as-modeling-clay illustrations,
eloquently express the jealous anger children know is “bad”
while also supplying an encouraging, peaceful solution.”
Pennsylvania Center For the Book
“Brothers receive a terrific green dinosaur toy in the
mail from Granny, but have to learn to share it. There are
very few words in this book, so the cute pictures tell most
of the story. This would be a great text for siblings, children
learning to share, and children who like to “read”
a story aloud by interpreting the illustrations.”
Christian Parenting Today
“When your baby utters the word “mine”,
you’ll know he has entered the tumultuous toddler era.
Sharing is a challenge for a toddler and every ounce of support
will help his frustration. Luthardt simply, yet dramatically
illustrates the story of two brothers who receive on dinosaur
in the mail from their grandmother… The pages express
emotion through large, colorful illustrations and text that
will be familiar to every parent. As you read through this
book together, your child will discover a new word: ours.”
Cornerstone Magazine
“When you are selfish and refuse to share, you often
end up destroying everything you want to hold on to. But fortunately
for us, there is forgiveness! That is the message of this
vivid children’s book by artist Kevin Luthardt, a message
I hope my kids learn after they stop fighting over the book.
With only four words in the entire story, it’s the quirky
illustrations that tell the tale.”
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