Fergus and Zeke by Kate Messner, Illustrated by Heather Ross

Today's post is from Paige Bentley-Flannery. Paige is a Community Librarian at Deschutes Public Library. She is a former Chair of the ALSC Notable Children’s Book Committee and ALSC Digital Content Task Force. Twitter @chapterpaigeone

What do you look for when selecting easy readers or picture books for children? Do you think about past Geisel Award winners? Favorite authors? Favorite characters? When Kate Messner’s new book, Fergus and Zeke arrived on my desk I was excited about the format, museum story and two new best friends. The reading experience from beginning to end follows a wonderful rhythm and “provides a stimulating and successful reading experience” for children pre-K through Grade 2, as they say in the Geisel Award criteria.
In four short chapters, Miss Maxwell’s class is in full swing learning team work, listening at story time, solving math problems and creating new projects. Fergus, Miss Maxwell’s class pet, loves school and loves his favored status. But when Fergus finds out his whole class is going on a field trip to the Museum of Natural History and he has to stay in the classroom, he tries any means to get to go! But how? He hides in Emma’s backpack and the adventure begins! Butterflies! Dinosaurs! Stars! The school field trip to the Museum of Natural History provides the perfect plot with a variety of favorite topics including shiny rocks and minerals! The length, 52 pages fits right in the middle of the criteria (a minimum of 24 pages but no longer than 96 pages). Messier provides an intriguing look inside the museum including a dinosaur’s mouth!

Image from Fergus and Zeke
by Kate Messner, illus. by Heather Ross

Fergus and Zeke encourage the beginning reader with a wonderful introduction to favorite and fun new words. Right away, I noticed the word “room.” being repeated over and over. We follow the story from room to room - a classroom or a museum room. Think about all of things you might want to see? The phrase, “I want to see…” is repeated over and over. But my favorite repetitive word in the story is “buddy.” Fergus’s buddy is a banana! In Chapter 2, look back at the illustrations, Fergus is so happy! The word “buddy” throughout the story discusses the importance of having a buddy but also, adds joy with Fergus’s buddy being a banana.  Bus, buddy and the phrase “he wanted to…” are also included in Chapter 2.

Following the criteria, the bright colorful illustrations “demonstrate the story being told” from Fergus’s jazzy dance with the butterflies to the stars in the planetarium. The illustrations also provide clues to the text. In Chapter 3, the first sentence - “The first exhibit hall was full of rocks and minerals” is matched with multiple sizes of rock illustrations on display. The mice are filled with fun expressions - pretending to be a lion on page 28 and tigers on page 30.  Messner’s heart-filled story is filled with friendships, collaboration and adventure. Children will appreciate Fergus’s personality and favorite school activities.

Fergus and Zeke might be your new favorite book to book talk, share with teachers, families and more. Will it capture the Geisel committee’s attention? Grab your backpack and go on a field trip with Miss Maxwell’s class.