The Whole Hole Story

When the hole in Zia's pocket takes on a life of its own, is she daunted? Not at all, writes debut author McInerny, striking a genial, why-the-heck-not tone: "Zia might have been afraid except that this was an imaginary hole, so it could only be as scary as she allowed, which was, in this case, not scary at all." In short and very fast order, the "obviously wonderful hole" becomes a fishing hole, a swimming hole, a watering hole, and then a portal to the other side of the Earth, which brown-skinned Zia traverses with a newly acquired elephant friend. Zia approaches each turn with a can-do attitude and attendant wardrobe changes, driving the giddy momentum forward as an "empty, muddy hole" becomes mud stairs "and more pies than she could count." Lamug (Petro and the Flea King) portrays Zia as a perpetual motion machine who never does anything halfway, whether she's celebrating her mud pie-making skills with a chorus line of baking utensils or chasing a mirror image of herself. With a charismatic protagonist like this, it's a safe bet that this story probably won't be the last. Ages 4-7. Illustrator's agent: Andrea Cascardi, Transatlantic Agency. (Jan.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

★ "McInerny's debut picture book bounces along with the changing waves of a child's fantasies.... [with] a clever, satisfying end and a twist that is sure to put a grin on savvy listeners' faces. This is sure to be a storytime favorite with audiences, and they'll clamor for McInerny's next outing."-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, STARRED review

"This charmer of a picture book takes an Alice in Wonderland approach to a young girl's discovery of a hole...A vivacious tribute to creative thinking and play."-Booklist

"Lamug's innovative and zany colorful illustrations, created with 'pencil, paper and some computer magic, ' exude joy and endless possibilities, portraying Zia in perpetual motion....A trip you won't want to miss with a kid who can take you anywhere."-Horn Book

"Engaging illustrations set bright, cartoon characters against largely pastel backgrounds. The self-made adventure is reminiscent of Harold and the Purple Crayon with its unpredictable, child-controlled narrative in which imagination takes one around the world and back home again....An adventure worth sharing." -Kirkus

"Debut author McInerny [strikes] a genial, why-the-heck-not tone....Lamug (Petro and the Flea King) portrays Zia as a perpetual motion machine....With a charismatic protagonist like this, it's a safe bet that this story probably won't be the last." -Publishers Weekly