Dispensing with the plot and multicharacter perspective of her much-lauded middle grade novel, Wonder (which also inspired the "Choose Kind" antibullying movement), Palacio focuses this picture book spin-off on the reflections of her hero and narrator, Auggie. "I just don't look ordinary," he says, and while what makes him so isn't specified, readers can see the difference between his single-eyed, featureless face (based on Tad Carpenter's cover illustration for the original novel) and Palacio's drawings of other kids. The love of Auggie's mother ("She says I'm a wonder!"), the companionship of his dog, Daisy, and his pretend play as an astronaut all help the boy momentarily escape the taunts of his peers. But he also holds out the hope, which the penultimate spread seems to affirm, that "people can change the way they see" and learn to appreciate the sentiment expressed in the title. Younger children need to hear Palacio's important message, but the wistful nostrums and flat, decorative cartooning don't fully do justice to her novel. Ages 4-8. Agent: Alyssa Eisner Henkin, Trident Media Group. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

A wide range of readers have embraced Auggie's story in Palacio's novel, Wonder (2012), and this picture book version stands on its own to highlight the novel's message for the youngestreaders. Addressing the audience, Auggie shares the things he likes to do, such as ride bikes and eat ice cream. He likes ordinary things; he just does not look ordinary. A multicultural group of children make fun of him, prompting Auggie and his dog, Daisy, to don astronaut helmets and take a fantasy trip across the galaxy, where the expansive view helps change his perspective. Returning to Earth, he's met by a boy who wants to be friends. Palacio's multimedia illustrations, inspired by the novel's book jacket, are a pleasant, engaging visual combination. Auggie and Daisy are solid images, while the backgrounds have a stamped quality, with colors variously faded and darkened. With a warm message at its heart maybe people can change the way they see . . . and they'll see that they're wonders too this story should inspire plenty of empathy among little ones.--Whitehurst, Lucinda Copyright 2010 Booklist