Have you ever wondered where the clouds go after they float by? Today's book, Where the World Ends: A Zip, Trik, and Flip Adventure by Davide Cali and illustrated by Maria Dek, begins with three animal friends wondering just this. The three friends decide to go on an adventure to find the end of the world.
As the three friends, Zip, Trik, and Flip, go off to find the end of the world they stop to ask for directions. They receive all sorts of advice. I love when a crossing guard tells them not to cross there and not to search for the end of the world or there will be consequences. The crossing guard cannot tell them what the consequences are so they cross and continue their journey. They think they have found it when they get to the edge of water but a boat comes along and the animal in the boat says he will take them to the other side of the lake.
They are told the end is at the top of a mountain but once they get there they see the valley. They are told it is at the other side of the woods but you can't travel through the woods. They go anyway. I love who is in the background of the woods! Do you see them? The Big Bad Wolf with Little Red Riding Hood on the back of his bicycle?
After a very long journey they "discover" the end of the world or at least where they think the world ends. They turn around to go home knowing it will be a long journey however if you turn the page you will see the map that shows it is close to where they started.
I love that this book has adventure and can be used to talk about so many different things--the shape of our planet, the past beliefs of the world having an end, the relation to other stories and so much more. This book is recommended for ages 4 to 8. I think that is completely appropriate. I can see kids loving the adventure of this story and can see it being a great one to read aloud. I hope you will check it out!
