Even the youngest among us knows the pain of being misunderstood. Quinn has spent the morning in their workshop making Something Great. Then it's echoes of Krauss's The Carrot Seed as Quinn proudly shows this creation -- a milk carton with a red string -- to their older sister, mother, and the cat, none of whom gets it. "It was just...itself," Quinn laments. "Something Great!" Bradley's mixed-media illustrations are full of soft brushstrokes in gentle shades of blue and green, creating a safe and calm atmos-phere for Quinn to exist in. Queerness is baked into the story: the text doesn't comment on the fact that Quinn uses they/them pronouns and sports a blue-grid button-down shirt with pink sneakers. The character is instead upset because no one seems to understand their artistic expression -- an apt and subtle metaphor for other types of self-expression. A new neighbor sees right away just how great Something Great really is, and together the characters engage in imaginative play without having to explain or specifically define anything. Endpapers showcase a hodgepodge of art supplies and some of Quinn's other creations, perhaps inspiring viewers to make Something Great of their own. Adrienne L. Pettinelli September/October 2022 p.50(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Young Quinn spends the morning creating something great from the recycling bin: an empty plastic milk jug with a red string tied around the neck. This wonderful invention can swing like a pendulum, orbit around, and even sing when blown into. Unfortunately, older sister, Mom, and the cat aren't impressed, but a new kid is, and through their joint creativity, this apparatus becomes an elevator, a beat keeper, a bug catcher, a stick lifter, a telephone, and a friend finder. Bradley's simple text speaks to the importance of imagination and the joys to be found in simple things. More subtly, this is also a story of a nonbinary child (signaled by the text's use of they/theirs). Bradley's digitally enhanced mixed-media illustrations exude a sunny vibe, reassuring readers that even when Quinn is upset that their family doesn't "get it," things will turn out fine. Pink and blue are used liberally throughout, as are printed words, which are worked into the illustrations. A welcome choice for STEM enthusiasts and creative types.

A young maker finds a new friend and collaborator. Quinn, a light-skinned child, spends the morning in their workshop and makes "Something Great" with string, tape, and an upcycled jug. The contraption can "tick-tock" like a clock and "orbit around, and around, and around, like the moon." It can even "sing!" Despite its many impressive functions, the Something Great fails to impress Quinn's big sister and mother. Even Isis the cat is "only interested in the string." Frustrated, Quinn flops onto the grass. The sun makes the Something Great even more magical as it "glow[s] with all the colors of the rainbow." A "hi" from above introduces Quinn to a brown-skinned tree climber who is curious about the project. Together, the two kids' imaginations run wild: The Something Great could be an "elevator," a "beat keeper," and more! Best of all, though, the Something Great turns out to be "a friend finder." Bradley's latest, an everyday story of a nonbinary child, fits neatly alongside similar STEAM-focused titles. The mixed-media digital collages combine text, images of musical notes, and graph paper for a fitting DIY aesthetic. Spreads are filled with movement and emotion. Front endpapers depict Quinn's workshop table; back endpapers add small details to show the pair's future creative endeavors. (This book was reviewed digitally Collaboration + boundless imagination = one bright idea. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.