Tato
By Kathe Gogolewski
Wings ePress, Inc.
Fantasy Adventure
Print
121 pages
2005
ISBN 1-59088-486-8
Michael Tate, Mickey to his family, refuses to accept that his beloved grandfather, Gankum, was dead. In his seven-year-old mind, he created a world where Gankum lives in his closet. To find someone of his own to love, Michael decides that the Tate family needs a baby. His desire for a baby brother or sister led him to seek Nicole's help in creating one from a potato. After all, he heard his mother state that some very special babies are made from potatoes using a special formula.
There is a very real relationship between Michael and his tween sister, Nicole. In a bid to get him to stop bugging her, Nicole helps Michael with his formula. However, poor Michael falls asleep and the formula was left for ten minutes too long. This resulted in the creation of an almost human potato named Tato and a bad mirror. Tato is pure and sweet with a good heart, while the mirror is evil and soul-less.
Kathe Gogolewski's tale is another rendition of good over evil and finding the power within to help solve problems. Tato will appeal to children of all ages even though the main character is only seven years old. They will enjoy the fantasy world that was created within the mirror. They will cheer Michael along as he finds his power within himself. Readers will anxiously race towards the end of the book to find out if Michael will succeed in freeing himself, and his family, from the dangers of the mirror world that had sucked them in..
Interestingly, the book also teaches a bit about various insects such as different spiders and beetles. Tato is a pleasant read for both adults and children.
3 potatoes out of 5
--Reviewed by Jessica McCurdy Crooks
November, 2005
Copyright JMC, Gotta Write
