Al and Teddy

K-Gr 3—Young Teddy reveres his big brother, Al, who seems to create a magical kingdom with his drawings. Al reveals his secret identity as King Alejandro and promises that Teddy will become Prince Teodoro and ride a white pony named Snowflake when he is old enough. Teddy is disappointed when he learns that the kingdom is not real but recovers quickly and is happy to join Al in the magic of creating art. The dreamy, surrealistic watercolor illustrations are gorgeous and support the message of the power of art. The story, on the other hand, is slight and reads like a half-told memory. Back matter reveals that the origins of Al and Teddy are discussed in the author's memoir, but for those who haven't read it, this picture book provides scant context or character development. Waldman has written this book as a fundraiser for the Fred Dolan Art Academy, in hopes of enabling additional students to get college scholarships. Despite the weak storytelling, the positive message, powerful art, and worthy cause make it a title worth considering, especially for collections emphasizing the visual arts.—Heidi Estrin, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL