CAN YOU DO THIS?
An Imagination Play Book
written and illustrated by Megan Roy
In her debut picture book, author/illustrator Roy challenges and inspires young readers to move their bodies in fun, energetic ways.
“CAN YOU TOUCH YOUR TOES?” Roy asks. “CAN YOU HOP LIKE A BUNNY?” So begins a long list of “can you” activity questions, each pose demonstrated with lively images. Sometimes the challenges have a playful bent: “HOW LONG CAN YOU BALANCE ON ONE FOOT? / TRY THE OTHER FOOT! THAT ONE LOOKS BETTER.” Sometimes the text is visually contrasted for effect: “CAN YOU STOMP YOUR FEET? FASTER!” uses a white writing and a blue background, while “MAKE THE GROUND SHAKE!” uses black writing and a yellow background. The book concludes with a calming-down sequence, which parents will appreciate. Roy’s digital illustrations are multicolored with a grainy pixilation that evokes Warhol. This pop-art feel is particularly evident in the children’s skin and hair tones—neon green, pink, blue, orange, etc. The effect is of a multicultural (though unfortunately not all abilities) mélange, and that same glorious hodgepodge is evident in action lines, backgrounds, and especially clothing. Energy and movement jump from each page. Particularly artful examples include kinesis lines that look respectively like fan blades and the contours of a tornado for “CAN YOU SPIN AROUND LIKE A CEILING FAN?”
An exhilarating celebration of motion.