Reviewed by Laura Lemanski

You thought you knew the story: rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, paper beats rock. But, oh no! In The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors, it is much more exciting in Drew Daywalt’s and Adam Rex’s take on the exciting legend that starts in “the Kingdom of Backyard.” Dewalt and Rex introduce us to the key players we thought we knew.  With vibrant illustrations, Rex is able to take the familiar and make it strange in this uproarious adventure. With Rock challenging a brash peach to a battle with silly slams like “You, sir, look like a fuzzy little butt,” it is hard not to snort with delight, especially when reading aloud to young audiences.

The large, striking fonts showcase the frenetic battle sequences as readers are transported from the kingdom, to the Empire of Mom’s Home Office to the Kitchen Realm and beyond as our warriors search for worthy opponents.  This imaginative story is a laugh-out-loud read, especially for those who readily resort to rock-paper-scissor decision making. Far from heavy-handed, Daywalt and Rex deliver a message of bravery and friendship wrapped up in a rip-roaring action-packed adventure story of which legends are made.

Artwork by Adam Rex, 2017

Resources: 

Harper-Collins Resources: Book trailer, activity guide and more

Author Spotlight: Drew Daywalt (interview)

Laura Lemanski is a graduate student in Curriculum and Instruction whose favorite things include stacks of books and pounds of Swedish Fish.