This is My Room: (No Tigers Allowed) starts off as the classic “afraid of the dark” story. However, Jennifer Richard Jacobson puts a slightly different and fun twist ending to show a modern take on the story. Jojo is ready for her first night alone in her own room. But her sister, Margaret, is sure that JoJo will be back. And Jojo does come back, but not the way you think. Yes, there are critters in her room, hiding, ready to pounce but Jojo knows how to deal with intruders like lions, bear and tigers: by going back to her sisters’ room to borrow a few markers and by making a sign that says for them to to go away! This is her room! But, while it worked on the others, the tiger shows her this is not going to work on them. What is our brave hero to do? It requires a bit more of a creative solution.
The illustrations of Alexandria Neonakis are bright, rich colors, amusing and very detailed. The adult will pick up a few clues here and there to the nature of what the scary animals of the dark actually are, but the kids reading will relate to the feelings that happen when you are not so alone in the dark! Neonakis’s signature style is obvious in the pages of this new picture book.
Most ages will relate to the charm of this book. And the adult will appreciate the modern solution that Jojo comes to all on her own.