Boys: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade

Metal Man

by Aaron Reynolds, Paul Hoppe (Illustrator)

Devon is going to see the "Metal Man" at work. In the heat of summer, the man sweats inside his shield as he welds his sculptures from what Devon's mama calls junk. This day, for the first time, when Devon asks to "try somethin'," the man asks, "Whaddya wanna make?" And when Devon answers "a house in a star," they get to work. The man cuts the pieces and welds them together. Then the grinder is "sendin' sparks everywhere, and that metal starts shinin'." Back home, Devon shows off his creation. Mama puts it on display, noting, "Well, it sure ain't junk now." Devon is "seein' things different," thanks to the Metal Man. Hoppe uses mixed media in a rough-and-ready fashion to visualize the energized story. Details are broadly drawn; sparks fly in blue and white flashes. The Metal Man's figure fills double page spreads as he cuts, welds and grinds. Devon seems to grow in stature as his work evolves, and he is biggest of all running home to thrust the piece proudly under his mother's gaze.