LET'S EXPLORE WITH COR COR

A boy in a wheelchair travels the world to show that mobility doesn’t depend on being able to walk in this picture book.

Cor Cor can’t walk, “but don’t think for a minute that he is wheelchair-bound.” In rhyming phrases, Cor Cor’s adventures around the globe in many types of transportation and to all kinds of places are described. Depicted early on next to a globe, a map, and his passport, Cor Cor maneuvers his modern-looking wheelchair on a safari ride and to the London Eye. On a Florida beach, he uses a special wheelchair with tanklike triangular treads. He meets Santa’s reindeer in Finland, kangaroos in Australia, and elephants in Africa. Cor Cor can’t stop moving—and his enthusiasm for life is evident in the smile on his face in every image. Debut artist Moore uses colorful, boldly lined cartoon illustrations against a more abstractly textured background in each picture, capturing a sense of movement in the vibrant portrayal of the main character. Moore uses famous landmarks to good effect, making the international sites immediately recognizable. But the locations depicted are not logically grouped, as countries, states, cities, and continents are mentioned haphazardly. Lee, on whom the main character is based, and Gilbreath use simple vocabulary in rhyming couplets that are easily accessible for newly independent readers.

An appealing tale that combines bright colors with easy rhymes and a can-do message.