Common Sense Media Review
By Angela Zimmerman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wry, whimsical story of "facts" and their fake counterparts.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
THE SAD LITTLE FACT is just trying to do his job -- reinforce truths and uphold facts. He's sad, though, because the "authorities" are trying to silence facts by sealing them in a box and burying them deep underground. The authorities and their minions churn fake facts out of a factory, labeling them as "real" facts. Some people believe them to be the truth... and so the world turns dark. The real facts (such as "two plus two equals four" and "a refrigerator is not a moose") can't escape the box they're buried in -- until some brave fact finders, determined to uncover the truth, dig deep enough to discover the box of hidden facts. When they are released back into the world, the truth shines again, and the lies are carted off to a recycling facility.
Is It Any Good?
This wry, wise story about the importance of upholding the truth is more relevant now than ever,. Even young kids who don't understand the cultural context of how this serves as an allegory to falsehoods in the media will appreciate and enjoy A Sad Little Fact. Writer Jonah Winter and illustrator Pete Oswald have great chemistry, and here they deliver another precious (and astute and cynical) story that kids (and adults!) of all ages will get a kick out of.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how facts are shown in The Sad Little Fact. What's the definition of a fake? What other facts do you know?
Why would the authorities try to bury the facts? Why does the world grow dark when fake facts begin taking over?
How do you like the art in The Sad Little Fact? Which picture is your favorite? How does the artist show when a character is sad?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Pete Oswald
- Genre : Picture Book
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Schwartz & Wade
- Publication date : May 7, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 7
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : March 15, 2024
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