THE SPOTS AND THE DOTS

Unexpected things happen when you meet those others that you’ve feared for so long.

Depending on which way readers hold this dos-à-dos–bound book, the protagonists might be either the Spots, red circles with large expressive eyes, or the Dots, blue circles with the same features. In both cases, the elders of both groups remind their young, “Don’t go over the hill!” The Spots know the Dots live over the hill (and vice versa), and both groups have avoided each other for generations…until today. A baby from each group ascends the hill to meet and learn “the bad ones were not bad at all. They were good!” Once the message is shared, all the Spots and Dots gather in the middle spread of the book, and when readers turn the page, they can see the same story from the other side. It’s an interesting but not unique concept, but the fatal flaw lies in the duplication of the story, from activities to character positions on each side. The lesson has been so oversimplified by the repetition that it’s meaningless. Children (and adults!) can use more stories about meeting and interacting with new cultures without letting prejudice overrule logic and common sense, but stories that frame two cultural groups as being exactly the same are unrealistic and disadvantageous.

Tries but fails in its well-intentioned mission.