FIELD DAY FRIDAY

Caseley (Mickey’s Class Play, not reviewed, etc.) continues the (mis)adventures of Mickey, in a poignant tale about winning and losing. Best friends Mickey and Longjohn are inseparable. Despite their physical differences, they are well-matched during races. “Mickey was short and sturdy and quick. Longjohn was tall and thin and speedy.” When Field Day arrives, they are ecstatic to be on the same team together. Caseley captures all the excitement of these elementary school Olympics; the thrills and spills, covering classic events such as egg-and-spoon, crab walk, and the hallowed 50-yard dash. Through each event, the friends are unerringly supportive of each other, lightly brushing aside any mishaps. An untied shoelace, however, proves to be Mickey’s undoing during the dash. When Longjohn wins the coveted medal, Mickey suffers the pangs of loss. A homemade medal saluting him as a “First Place Brother” and friend from his sister and Longjohn helps Mickey refocus on the important things. While the tale doesn’t exactly portray an inspiring message about losing gracefully, Caseley addresses a prickly issue with honesty—sometimes you lose and feel bad about it. It’s this truthfulness that will appeal to readers, who can commiserate with Mickey. The brightly colored illustrations feature a multicultural collection of children, all eagerly participating in the events. Caseley’s vivid drawings highlight the suspenseful action and humor of the text. Despite his setback, Mickey learns a vital lesson about winning, losing, and the true value of friends. (Picture book. 4-8)