So what do you do with a hole you don't want?
Kelly Canby has written and illustrated a fanciful and whimsical story, The Hole Story, that answers this question.
Charlie decides to take the hole into town to find it a new owner.
Charlie wonders if maybe one of the shop owners might like the hole. He asks the seamstress and a road repairer. They don't want a hole because they spend all of their day fixing holes.
Charlie tries to give the hole to several different people, he even tries to give the hole to a donut maker who responds, 'I have a machine that make those for me.'
Charlie is disappointed that he is unable to find the hole a new owner. The rabbit who has been following and watching the Charlie through out the whole story sees Charlie put hole back on the ground and walk away. Maybe the rabbit will know what to do with this abandoned hole?
Canby's words and illustrations are a brilliant combination that makes readers of The Hole Story giggle. The readers will chuckle as they imagine a boat builder's sail ship taking on water because he added a hole to the vessel. The Hole Story allows readers to discuss what are positives and negatives of a hole, which objects need holes and which one don't.
I just adore Canby's rabbit. The rabbit is a lovely addition to the story yet it is never mentioned in the words. Rabbit covers his eyes and reader exclaim 'Oh no Charlie!' when he add the hole to his backpack. Rabbit follows Charlie through the book, hiding or blending in with the people and objects in the illustrations.
Canby's endpapers at the back of the book show a range of animals that use holes for their homes. This is a unique and amusing story. What do you think you could do with a hole?
Title: The Hole Story
Author/Illustrator: Kelly Canby
Publisher: Fremantle Press, $24.99
Publication Date: March 2018
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925591125
For ages: 3 - 5
Type: Picture Books
