The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination by Brad Montague and Kristi Montague

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination by Brad Montague and Kristi Montague Ally Byerly Montague, Brad The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination; illus. by Brad Montague and Kristi Montague. Dial, 2023 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780593323472 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593323489 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 3-6 yrs Sparky is proud to serve as the official mail "figment" for the various departments of the Fantastic Bureau of Imagination (FBI)—a place where ideas large and small are cultivated and ushered into the world. While the bureau celebrates the imagination, Sparky never dreams of letting anyone see his own creative poems until he arrives at work one day to discover the Cave of Untold Stories overflowing. Sparky must act quickly to convince humans, whose glut of unsung songs and unmade inventions formed an avalanche that threatens the birthplace of imagination, to share their creative gifts with the world—yet to do so, Sparky might have to finally share his own. An opening recruitment letter to the reader to join the Fantastic Bureau of Imagination makes for a clever framing device, inviting youngsters to embrace creativity and serving as a gentle reminder of how the weight of unrealized ideas burden not just the individual but also society. It is a profound message handled competently by Montague, and in narrowing the overwhelming scope of the story to a mail carrier with a penchant for poetry, the narrative emphasizes the power of a single voice. The illustrations' simple linework is effective if not particularly [End Page 298] striking, but the muted color palette establishes an appealing dreamlike atmosphere that complements the story's themes. Offer this book to any young person in need of a reminder about the importance of sharing their voice. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois