Wallace's Lists by Barbara Bottner and Gerald Kruglik

In the book “Wallace’s Lists” by Barbara Bottner and Gerald Kruglik, a mouse named Wallace has to do everything according to lists. If he wants to take a walk, do laundry, or water his plants, then these events and chores have to be on his list. Besides making lists for chores and events, Wallace has lists for all his clothes, pets, vacation sites, accidents, places with funny names, being lost, things he hates, and recipes. One day Wallace discovers he has a new neighbor named Albert, who loves adventure and lives his life with spontaneity and by chance. When Albert introduces himself for the first time, Wallace, who is so controlled by his lists, is unable to greet his new neighbor because “saying hello was not on his list” (Bottner, Kruglik, 2004, p. 3). After Wallace adds “Say hello to Albert” to his next “to do” list, he finally gets to introduce himself to his new neighbor. As the days progress, Albert continuously asks Wallace to join him on spontaneous activities that include, listening to music and painting ducks, but Wallace cannot because he does not have those activities on his list. Albert mentions going on an adventure with Wallace to Glockamorra, but Wallace declines since he hates getting lost or being spontaneous.
The next day Wallace finds a note on Albert’s door explaining how he had knocked on Wallace’s door, but there was no answer so he had left on an adventure without him. As a thunderstorm develops, Wallace is concerned about Albert’s whereabouts and decides to go warn his friend about the terrible storm. He decides to search the airport where he encounters many adventures that include, being caught on the baggage belt, being chased by a cat, and getting wet, but he finally finds Albert alone and sad. After discovering Wallace, Albert is thrilled to see his friend, but upset that his adventure had to end bluntly because of the thunderstorm. However, Wallace decides to cheer him up by taking him around the conveyor belt, a ride in a huge limousine, watching the city lights, and entering a glitzy, high-priced hotel. After a day of adventure and spontaneity, Wallace decides to write a list of all his adventures and his favorite list of all, his best friend list with Albert at number one.
I believe that Barbara Bottner and Gerald Kruglik’s book is an excellent way to teach children about the differences between spontaneity and order, how to produce lists, different perspectives, friendship, and embracing ones unique attributes. Since Albert and Wallace are completely different, an educator could teach her students to evaluate and discover the physical and mental differences between Wallace and Albert’s life styles and personalities. By looking at the differences between the two mousses, an instructor could also teach the children about how everyone is unique and special in there own way.
Personally, I loved how the illustrator depicted Wallace standing in the rain waiting for the bus next to two human’s feet. This illustration could teach students the idea behind looking at the world from a different perspective, which in this case would be through the eyes of Wallace, the mouse. Often times it is important that students understand the concept behind lists and how they are a great way to organize events. After reading “Wallace’s Lists,” students would be able to develop a better understanding of the usefulness of lists and how the help one organize and maintain their lives. However, instead of teaching children to live their lives through lists, the book teaches children the importance of balancing their lives between orderliness and adventure. Overall, I believe that “Wallace’s Lists” is a very effective way to introduce students to a variety of important values and concepts.