The illustrations in this book grabbed my attention immediately. It's not my favorite style, but the vintage toy style of it was very nostalgic and unique from other children's picture books.

Basic premise of the story: Spork, the child of a Spoon and a Fork, doesn't feel like he belongs anywhere. He tries to wear a bowler hat to be more round like a spoon, but then the forks don't want to be around him. He tries to wear a paper crown to be more pointy like a fork, but then the spoons don't want to be around him. He's sad that everyone else gets to have fun at the table and take bubbly baths while he sits around in the drawer day after day and night after night. But when a big mess (a baby) starts to eat at the table one day, forks and spoons won't do the trick, and Spork finally finds something he's good at that no one else can do.

My son loved this book, and I think there are some really great aspects of it. As I mentioned before, the illustrations (while a bit strange) are unique and grab the reader's attention. The messages of not feeling like you belong and finding your purpose are good for children, as well as the hinted application of a biracial relationship and dueling worlds in society. I have a couple of issues with the book, though. First, Spork doesn't find common ground with anyone else. He vaguely wonders at one point if there are other items in the kitchen like him, unique creations that aren't really used, but he never finds any of them or makes friends. Second, his given purpose in the story is very limited and won't last when the baby grows older and learns how to use a fork and spoon; what will be Spork's purpose then? If I don't analyze the story much, I enjoy it. And since my four-year-old liked it so much, I gave it an extra star. It speaks best to toddlers and preschoolers, I think.

This book is so cute! I loved the little spork and felt so sad for him. This book tackles what is like to be different, come from different families and try to fit in. I think that many teachers would love this book. It is the perfect beginner book to start talking about many difficult topics. There are many different extension activities that this book could lend to as well. A great read.

Wonderfully illustrated - I highly recommend this book

I thought that this book had a great idea behind it. I just didn't love the execution.

Such an adorable story of trying to fit in when you just don't know who you are. This is a perfect story for younger readers who are already caught in the "who am I?" journey. I know so many students who would benefit from the depth of this story while still enjoying the fun, silly side. This will definitely be a classroom read-a-loud!

One of the most maligned utensils in history has its moment in the sun with Kyo Maclear's Spork. His mom's a spoon. Dad's a fork. And poor Spork doesn't fit in with either group, no matter how hard he tries. He tries to cover up his tiny tines, to fit in with the spoons; he wears a pointy hat to emphasize those tines to hang with the forks - neither attempt works. Just as he's resigned to languishing in the utensil drawer, someone comes along that shows Spork that everyone has a place and a purpose.

Spork is adorable. It's a story about standing out and finding your own value, just as you are. It's a sweet story with a strong message about distinctiveness and the beauty of diversity. Isabelle Arsenault's illustrations are soft, sweet, adorable; loaded with personality and feeling, love, and ultimately, joy.

Put this one in your collections, for sure. Read it, have a spork workshop where kids can personalize their own Spork. File down the edges - some of those plastic sporks can be a little sharp; for younger readers, print out a paper spork template, like this fun one from the Kingdom Hearts Wiki, or this really cute stock photo. Put out crayons, yarn, pom poms, stickers, whatever you have to let the kids personalize their Spork. Enjoy!

Author Kyo Maclear has an author webpage with a book trailer for Spork and some fun Spork facts. Kids Can Press has great educator resources, including a One-of-a-Kind certificate you can hand out after your Spork workshop and discussion points for before, during, and after the storytime.

Previously published in hardcover, Spork received a starred review from Kirkus and multiple awards, including the 2011 Bank Street Children's Committee Best Children's Book of the Year and the 2010 Outstanding Book for Young People with Disabilities.

I first saw Spork by Kyo Maclear when I was browsing the Barnes and Noble upcoming releases page. The lovable cover illustration – done by Isabelle Arsenault- drew me in but the description got me. Immediately, I added it to my to-be-purchased list after its paperback (my preferred binding for children’s books) release in April. When I was offered a chance to review it before the new version was released, I jumped at the opportunity. This book did not disappoint. It was a pleasure to read.

Spork by Kyo Maclear, is about a utensil whose mom is a spoon and whose dad is a fork and so consequently, he is a mix of both and is a spork. Spork feels lonely and isolated because of his non-traditional background. He struggles to fit in by attempting to be first a spoon and then a fork, button doing so, he isolates the utensil groups. Ultimately, he embraces his individuality and decides to just be himself. Lo and behold, that is just who he needs to be when a toddler arrives to declare Spork his favorite utensil.

The drawings are charming; mostly grayscale with splashes of red when “the messy thing” arrives. I particularly loved the page with imaginings of other mixed utensil pairings (a colander/funnel, a rolling-pin/corkscrew, etc.) While most of the utensils are harsh or stark, Spork is cuddly looking – a feat for something made of metal.

What I love most about this book was the underlying message: its ok to be yourself. I love the author’s not-so-subtle take at being a mixed child. This lesson can explain the difficulties faced by bi-racial children or even children of interfaith marriages. The need to identify with two cultures at once was handled in the perfect way for a pre-schooler to understand.

Another children's book about being different but done with silverware. It is a very unique way of looking at not fitting in but still it is a popular children's topic so the uniqueness with the silverware makes it stand out. There was one part I was confused about though and has me a bit curious. When he tries to be a spoon the forks judge him saying he is too round but when he tries to be a fork the spoons judge him for being too pointy. Shouldn't that be reversed?

Beautiful picture book about the joys and pains of individuality and being your best self. Maclear's Spork delightfully explains how our unique characteristics make us better and special to, maybe not everyone, but someone.

Such a beautifully illustrated book and a lovely message about finding the value in being unique

Did you ever feel like you just didn't fit in? Poor Spork is one of those characters. His mum is a spoon and his dad is a fork, but Spork is neither a fork or a spoon. He just never seems to be picked to be used at the dinner table. Then one day this messy creature arrives at the dinner table and none of the other utensils are able to calm the mess. However, Spork is the perfect utensil for the messy creature to use which ends up being a baby who has never used utensils before.

Spork is a wonderful read to focus on everyone's unique possibilities. We are all not the same and have many unique gifts and talents. They may not be realized right away but Spork shows us that those moments do come. The story is humorous and light hearted and I certainly enjoyed every moment of it. The illustrations are soft and intensify when the messy creature enters the picture with bright vibrant colors. Definitely a wonderful read!

Yesterday, I read the charming book Spork by Kyo Maclear (illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault) with my kids. Spork is a story about, well, a spork. In case you do not know, a spork is part spoon/part fork. Since Spork is too round, he doesn’t quite fit with the forks. Since Spork is too pointy, he doesn’t quite fit with the spoons.

Spork spends his days trying to know where he belongs. In between the wonderful illustrations and the great rhythm of the lines, your children will learn that it is okay to be different. The book brought smiles to our faces as we giggled at the thoughts of our cutlery come to life. For example, Spork is envious he doesn’t get to take a giant sudsy bubble bath at the end of the day (or what we know as the dishes being washed) because he is never used.

But, one day, Spork learns that while the forks may be good at poking and the spoons may be good at stirring, sometimes a person needs both. That’s how Spork discovers sometimes it is best to fit into more than one box.

This children’s book shows little ones that they do not have to fit into one category – they can do or be lots of things! The paperback version of this book will be released in April. I highly recommend this unique story to families with children, especially those who struggle with knowing where they fit.

Funny story that is beautifully illustrated. Readers will have a ton of laughs with this one.

This is a book dealing with multi-race or multi-ethnic families. In this book they use cutlery to present this notion. Spork has part of his mom, a spoon, and his dad, a fork. He is never picked when someone sets the table, he never gets the bubble bath after a meal and he is shunned by both the spoons and the forks. This story highlights that there is a place in the world for everyone. You just have to find it. Luckily for Spork, when neither the forks or spoons could handle the baby, he got the chance to show what he could do. The illustrations are detailed but with little colour. The expressions on some of the cutlery is scary at times, but Spork is quite adorable. I think it is important to help children explore how we are all different, but I am not sure if they will get the multi-race aspect from this book. This story could be used in various discussions such as all families are different, bullying by omission, finding your purpose and strengths, be true to yourself and so on.

Spork has a hard time fitting in. He isn't quite a spoon, he isn't quite a fork, and he never seems to get picked for meals. Even when he tries to hide who is to fit in, he always seems to still be different and people notice. But one day, a new messy thing arrives. It can't handle a spoon or a fork. It needs something different, and it's Spork's time to shine!

Spork is a great picture books for teaching about how differences can be strengths. While you might not feel like you fit into any one group, especially if you're bi-cutlery like Spork, you do have a place and a purpose. A great conversation starter for kids!

This fun, colorful book tells the story of young Spork. Spork’s mother is a spoon and his father is a fork. This makes Spork different from the other kids. He does not fit in with the spoons and he does not fit in with the forks.

Spork is a good reminder for children (and adults) that when they feel so different that there is no place for them, that indeed, there is a place for them. In the Body of Christ, there is room for everyone, for everyone is needed in the Kingdom.

Adorable picture book about a spork looking to fit in and wonder where he belongs. Finally at the end of the story, he finds his purpose. Could use for predictions with students as well as discussing fitting it, accepting others, mixed families. Students will be able to relate to it because they only get sporks for lunch in the cafeteria.

This was a sweet story about not fitting in. Everyone feels like they don't really fit sometimes and Spork is definitely caught in the middle. But in the end, being himself is exactly what is needed.

Spork by Kyo Maclear is a delightful, insightful and charming tale of Spork who was 'Just a bit round. Just a bit pointy. Just right.'
Spork feels out of place, as he is not like the others and does not realize his worth. He tries to change his look in order to fit in, but still isn't accepted. It's not until a 'messy thing' arrives that Spork finds his true calling!

An excellent story for children of mixed race, or kids that may need an encouraging story that celebrates being different.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Spork is a delightful tale about a young utensil looking for his place in the world. The illustrations are captivating! I love the softness and gentleness of them. As an educator, this is an excellent picture book to use with students in discussing themes such as: confidence, finding how you fit in a group and accepting that we each have an important part to play in society and to not judge ourselves better than someone else.