102
Prepare to be enchanted.
This is a story about a boy, a mouse, a magical shrinking journey, a nighttime adventure, and beans. (We love beans at our house. You?)
102 is a story about experiencing the world around you in minute detail, coming to understand what you hadn’t even thought about before.
It’s a book about love (maybe 102 kinds of love?), which is a necessity for these times.
How many ways will “102” be incorporated into the text and drawings? Are you sure you noticed them all? Look again.
When I read that author and illustrator Matthew Cordell was inspired by a “cheery, multicolored, multiscented ballpoint pen” to create the art for this book, I had to read 102, own a copy for myself. He used 16 of those pens to draw the art for 48 pages. Pens on order.
Text and illustrations each make the other more.
I advise you to give yourself the gift of this book. Oh, and when you’re so inspired, you can share 102 with the children in your life. No doubt they will ask for it be read 102 times.
It has the most satisfying conclusion I’ve read in a long time.
Be sure to remove the dustjacket to discover the hidden treasures front and back. Your library’s mylar jacket makes this impossible! It would be wise to buy your own copy, if you can. And gift copies. (Full disclosure: I do not know Matthew Cordell.)
And, oh, those endpapers!
Putting down my not-fruit-scented pen. I’m compelled to read 102 again.
102
Written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Little, Brown, 2026
For all of you who restack, like, reply, and recommend this column, 102 thank yous for spreading the word, for helping me grow my following.
I pick this one up the other night while at Majors and Quinn. At first I was not sure I liked the art but it grew on me and now fascinated but his use of the pen. Grandson is going to sleep over on Friday so I am off to find a pen and we will explore this way of creating then. I like you know what he thinks of the story. I loved it!
He looks like he has lots of books. I ordered a few from the library but may have to go find 102 at Wild Rumpus. Thanks for the tip.