Up    by Jim Lamarche Order:  USA  Can Chronicle, 2006 (2006) Hardcover     Reviewed by Hilary Daninhirsch This is a story of a little boy with an extraordinary gift - he is able to use his mind to levitate objects up off the ground. Daniel wishes he could help his father and brother on their fishing boat, but he is always told that he is too little and instead, he has to help his mother prepare the chowder. He is starting to resent his nickname, Mouse - which serves as a constant reminder to him of his size - and his inability to contribute anything important to the family. Daniel soon discovers his ability to lift things off the ground by using extreme concentration. He keeps this to himself, though, but he keeps practicing. Later, he is called upon to help move a beached whale, and is able to put his special gift to use. The luminous drawings, which give the book a surreal feeling, are the highlight of this picture book. I love the shading and the intricate use of color. The seaside setting seems perfectly appropriate for this story. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews